Senate Journal: Page 58: Tuesday, January 9, 2001

  As Iowa tries to recruit and retain talented teachers, so does the rest of
  the nation.
  The nation will need 2.2 million teachers over the next ten years but is
  equipped to
  educate and prepare only 1.4 million.  That means there will be a shortage
  of 800,000
  teachers.  And as Iowa seeks to compete for that shrinking supply, our
  teacher salaries
  rank 35th in the nation.

  If Iowa is to lead the new economy, our children must be high achievers,
  taught by
  the best teachers.  Thanks to the work of Marvin Pomerantz and John Forsyth
  and
  their teams, work supported by legislative leaders from both chambers and
  from both
  sides of the aisle, we have a plan to do just that.

  Recognizing that quality is about more than dollars and cents, this plan
  outlines
  how we can better develop and support quality teachers.  The plan challenges
  all
  involved with student learning to aim high and to constantly improve.

  The plan to improve student achievement has four basic elements.

  First, it requires a rigorous course of study to become a teacher and
  participation in
  a multiyear induction or mentoring program in the first two years of
  teaching, which
  will guarantee teachers who are better-prepared for the classroom and
  better-
  supported once they've begun teaching.

  Second, it establishes a research-based program of continuing education
  designed to
  improve student learning.

  Third, it proposes to strategically increase teacher pay by fixing base pay
  at levels
  linked to the national labor market for teachers that will allow Iowa to
  remain
  competitive for talent.

  Finally, it creates a variable pay program that rewards teachers,
  administrators,
  and certified staff for annual improvements in student achievement.

  All of these simply reflect one of Iowa's oldest and most deeply held
  values-
  excellence in education.

  Joining John Forsyth are the Iowans who worked in the development of this
  framework, as well as a number of Iowa's board-certified teachers and Milken
  Foundation grantees.  These are teachers who have reached the pinnacle of
  their
  careers through hard work and continuing education.  These are the teachers
  who have
  helped our students to excel.  They model the career development, the
  commitment to
  quality, and the love of the calling reflected in the plan presented for
  your
  consideration.  Please join me in thanking each of them for their
  contribution to our
  children, our future, and the future of Iowa.

  The success of this plan depends in part on adequate funding.  The framework
  will
  take several years to fully implement.  During that time, some of the
  resources should
  and must come from dollars already allocated to our K-12 programs.  But new
  funds
  also will be required.

  Discussion of new funding often is a discussion of choices.  But ensuring
  higher
  student achievement is no longer a choice.  It is a requirement if we wish
  to transition
  to a new economy and lead it.

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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