Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act requiring the director of the department of education to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s high school graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and educational standards and to recommend policy changes, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2545.)

Subcommittee members: Wheeler-CH, Buck, Gehlbach

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: RM 19

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

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02-07-2024

Rebecca Heth []

As a fourterm Public School Board Director, and recently retired educator, I urge you to vote in favor of HF 2329. Our schools are in crisis on so many levels. This is your opportunity to take a stand for all of our children, especially those who are disadvantaged.

02-08-2024

Leslie Beck []

I SUPPORT HF2329. This has been a long time coming. Iowa Core (a.k.a. Common Core) needs to be replaced with a back to the basics approach. Give teachers the freedom and ability to teach to the student, not to the test.

02-08-2024

Heather Stancil []

I SUPPORT this bill. Common Core, otherwise known as Iowa Core, has been an abysmal failure to our children since it was first introduced to our state in 2010. Not only has it failed to improve education outcomes, it actually lowered the academic bar for our kids, and opened the door for other failed unproven fads like SEL to try to make up for its shortcomings. It is long past time to return to the basics, with a classical curriculum that has a proven history for actual learning and advancing critical thinking without the propaganda.Please put Common Core, SEL and any other national standards that Iowa uses (like the Next Generation Science Standards) in the dustbin of history where they belong.

02-08-2024

Matt Cretsinger [Marshalltown CSD]

My name is Matt Cretsinger, and I oversee socialemotional learning, mental health services, health services, and disability services in Marshalltown. In light of the tragic school shooting event recently at Perry High School, I'm so surprised there is a conversation against SEL. I would have anticipated our leaders would have focused on how to lift up and support our educator's and student's safety and wellbeing. Consider that and then also consider the trauma related to the 2021 Derecho and the data about students' behaviors and mental wellbeing postpandemic; I don't know how this is even a conversation. Accessing social and emotional learning, or SEL, in schools is a vital part of getting a good education; SEL provides my students with crucial life skills and enriches their experience at school. I oppose HF 2329 because passing this bill and eliminating SEL would make it harder for my students to grow their social and emotional skills and succeed at school. In our classrooms, our students are learning and practicing calming down when they get nervous about a test, working on relationship skills, and problemsolving when they experience academic or social challenges. Since we have begun incorporating social and emotional learning lessons into our classrooms, we see that our students are more engaged. Additionally, my whole school works together to create a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel safe and valued.Research in the field of science of human development and learning demonstrates that social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and integral to academic learning and success. Specifically, research shows there are three major brain networks that together support a broad range of mental capacities. Through their coregulation and coordination, each of these networks contributes to social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, allowing a person to operate well in the world and to take advantage of learning opportunities. (ImmordinoYang, DarlingHammond, and Krone, 2018). SEL and academics compliment rather than compete with each other. A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academics. The research comes from numerous sources, including federallyfunded research through the Institute for Education Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation all of which have undergone rigorous review. A 2023 metaanalysis that reviewed more than 400 studies shows that students participating in SEL at school had higher school functioning, including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The metaanalysis further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidality; felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness, and healthy relationships. Fact: Parents and Teachers Want SELParent and Teacher survey data:According to 2022 polling by the National PTA, 88 percent of parents want their students to learn social and emotional skills such as respect, cooperation, perseverance, and empathy. 77% of teachers said SEL has a major benefit on students academic performance and ability to graduate. Approximately 80% of parents believe families and schools should work together to promote SEL and that social and emotional skills are essential for their childrens futures. More than 75% of parents said they support SEL because they see how teaching SEL creates a positive classroom environment where children learn the skills they need to succeed in school and their future. Large majorities of parents (80 to 90 percent) agree schools should teach skills such as setting and achieving goals, navigating social situations, or empathizing with others. 93 percent of parents say it is important that their childrens schools teach social and emotional skills.Fact: Teachers recognize SEL as foundational to students academic success.Teachers recognize that SEL is critical to students academic success. A 2022 survey by EdWeek found that 83% of teachers said SEL has a positive impact on student academic outcomes. In fact, highquality SEL programming has been found to have a positive impact on teachers and other staff, reducing teacher stress and in turn creating more positive engagement with students. Teachers are experts when it comes to student learning, and we should be preparing our educators with the resources to support their preservice training as well as their professional development to support the academic, social, and emotional development of our nations students.If the students in Marshalltown schools did not have the opportunity to keep building these daily life skills, it would be so much harder for them to be ready to learn in the classroom. This is why it is critical that Iowa continues to support access to social and emotional learning so that all students are able to develop essential skills for life. Passing HF 2329 would hinder the development of the young people in our state to be ready to succeed both in school and in their future. I ask you to oppose HF 2329.Respectfully,Matt Cretsinger, Ed.S.Director of Special Services, and registered voterMarshalltown Community School District

02-08-2024

Timothy Stumo []

I am voicing my support for this legislation! I am a homeschooling parent and one reason I decided to homeschool was focus more specifically on the essentials of reading, writing, arithmetic, civics, and history. If the public school system were to restore its integrity, I would consider enrolling my children. I hope that you will vote yes to move this bill forward. Thank you for all of your service!

02-08-2024

Amber Alman [Marshalltown Community School District ]

Accessing social and emotional learning, or SEL, in schools is a vital part of getting a good education; SEL provides students with crucial life skills and enriches their experiences at school. I oppose HF 2329 because passing this bill and eliminating SEL would make it harder for our children to grow social and emotional skills and succeed at school. I am an Admin Assistant with the school district and feel that these skills that we are all working together to teach our children are vital. Children at our school feel valued, and heard. They are learning how to regulate emotions and communicate effectively. Losing this valuable instruction would be a tragedy as children that learn how to self regulate and feel seen and heard grow to be adults that work effectively with their peers and are valuable assets to the community. Research in the field of science of human development and learning demonstrates that social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and integral to academic learning and success. Specifically, research shows there are three major brain networks that together support a broad range of mental capacities. Through their coregulation and coordination, each of these networks contributes to social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, allowing a person to operate well in the world and to take advantage of learning opportunities. (ImmordinoYang, DarlingHammond, and Krone, 2018). SEL and academics complement rather than compete with each other. A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academics. The research comes from numerous sources, including federallyfunded research through the Institute for Education Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation all of which have undergone rigorous review. A 2023 metaanalysis that reviewed more than 400 studies shows that students participating in SEL at school had higher school functioning, including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The metaanalysis further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidality; felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness, and healthy relationships. According to 2022 polling by the National PTA, 88 percent of parents want their students to learn social and emotional skills such as respect, cooperation, perseverance, and empathy. 77% of teachers said SEL has a major benefit on students academic performance and ability to graduate. Approximately 80% of parents believe families and schools should work together to promote SEL and that social and emotional skills are essential for their childrens futures.More than 75% of parents said they support SEL because they see how teaching SEL creates a positive classroom environment where children learn the skills they need to succeed in school and their future.Large majorities of parents (80 to 90 percent) agree schools should teach skills such as setting and achieving goals, navigating social situations, or empathizing with others.93 percent of parents say it is important that their childrens schools teach social and emotional skills.Teachers recognize that SEL is critical to students academic success. A 2022 survey by EdWeek found that 83% of teachers said SEL has a positive impact on student academic outcomes. In fact, highquality SEL programming has been found to have a positive impact on teachers and other staff, reducing teacher stress and in turn creating more positive engagement with students. Teachers are experts when it comes to student learning, and we should be preparing our educators with the resources to support their preservice training as well as their professional development to support the academic, social, and emotional development of our nations students.As an employee of the Marshalltown Community School District and an active member in the community I strongly feel that passing HF 2329 would hinder the development of the young people in our state to be ready to succeed both in school and in their future. I ask you to oppose HF 2329.

02-08-2024

Kendey Manners [Marshalltown Community School District]

Hi, my name is Kendey Manners, and I am a school counselor at Rogers Elementary school in Marshalltown, IA. Accessing social and emotional learning, or SEL, in schools is a vital part of getting a good education; SEL provides my students with crucial life skills and enriches their experience at school. I oppose HF 2329 because passing this bill and eliminating SEL would make it harder for my students to grow their social and emotional skills and succeed at school.As a school counselor, my job revolves around teaching students SEL skills like how to be a good friend, student, and son/daughter/sibling. These skills are crucial in their stages of development, and unfortunately, many of the students I serve are not learning these skills at home. Some parents are incarcerated, others have passed away, become divorced, and some work many hours to provide for their families and are unable to teach their children these skills. That is my entire purpose behind teaching SEL skills. These are simply life skills that everyone needs to know and many of my students will not have the opportunity to learn them outside of the school setting. This is why it is critical that Iowa continues to support access to social and emotional learning so that all students are able to develop essential skills for life.Not only does SEL help students develop crucial life skills, it also helps them develop academic skills and knowledge. Teachers recognize that SEL is critical to students academic success. A 2022 survey by EdWeek found that 83% of teachers said SEL has a positive impact on student academic outcomes. In fact, highquality SEL programming has been found to have a positive impact on teachers and other staff, reducing teacher stress and in turn creating more positive engagement with students. Teachers are experts when it comes to student learning, and we should be preparing our educators with the resources to support their preservice training as well as their professional development to support the academic, social, and emotional development of our nations students.In sum, passing HF 2329 would hinder the development of the young people in our state to be ready to succeed both in school and in their future. I ask you to oppose HF 2329.

02-08-2024

Taylor Nieland []

My name is Taylor Nieland, and I am a K4 Special Education teacher in Marshalltown, specifically for students with emotional behavior disorders. I teach social emotional skills to students whose behaviors range from refusals all the way to physical aggression. Accessing social and emotional learning, or SEL, in schools is a vital part of getting a good education.SEL provides my students with crucial life skills and enriches their experience at school. I oppose HF 2329 because passing this bill and eliminating SEL would make it harder for my student to grow their social and emotional skills and succeed at school. In my classroom, my students are learning and practicing calming down when they get nervous about a test, working on relationship skills, and problemsolving when they experience academic or social challenges. Since I have begun incorporating social and emotional learning lessons into my classroom, I can see that my students are more engaged. Additionally, my whole school works together to create a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued. If my students did not have the opportunity to keep building these daily life skills, it would be so much harder to be ready to learn in the classroom. This is why it is critical that Iowa continues to support access to social and emotional learning so that all students are able to develop essential skills for life. SEL and academics complement rather than compete with each other. A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academics. The research comes from numerous sources, including federallyfunded research through the Institute for Education Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation all of which have undergone rigorous review. A 2023 metaanalysis that reviewed more than 400 studies shows that students participating in SEL at school had higher school functioning, including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The metaanalysis further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidality; felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness, and healthy relationships.By learning these skills, I have students who for the first time ever are making growth in their academic achievement because they are able to stay regulated and be an active participant in their learning. This bill would take away the ability for students who struggle with behaviors to be in the classroom with their peers because of their inability to control their emotional regulation. Passing HF 2329 would hinder the development of the young people in our state to be ready to succeed both in school and in their future. I ask you to oppose HF 2329.

02-08-2024

Tim Holmgren [Marshalltown Community School District]

Dear Subcommittee Members:I am writing today to express the deep concern I have with the proposed actions in HF2329 that you are considering today. In recent years, Iowa educators have been repeatedly scrutinzed over a variety of topics. HF2329 once again brings up social emotional learning(SEL) and I feel like those that are proposing this do not understand child development and society's impact on students. In many schools in our state, SEL instruction is vital to the development of productive citizens. As with math, literacy, science and social studies educators teach so that students develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need; SEL is no different. As a public school, we educate all kids no matter their background, social economic status, race and ethnicity and ability level. As a state and nation, I cannont imagine living in a place that doesn't recognize the importance of social skills. We want a productive and employable work force then we better recognize the role SEL plays in developing wellrounded citizens and without it, I fear, our great state will not continue to be known as a "great place to raise a family". The economic impact of a unprepared work force and the everygrowing mental health crisis will cripple our state and the quality of life we have enjoyed. Yours in education,Tim HolmgrenProud Parent, Educator, Iowan

02-08-2024

Alyson Finley [Des Moines Public Schools]

Good morning. My name is Alyson Finley, and I am a Student Services Director for Des Moines Public Schools. and a parent of 2 Des Moines Public Schools students.As an educator and a parent, accessing social and emotional learning, or SEL, in schools is a vital part of getting a good education; SEL provides my children and students with crucial life skills and enriches their experiences at school. I oppose HF 2329 because passing this bill and eliminating SEL would make it harder for my kids and students to grow in their social and emotional skills and success at school.As a former special education teacher supporting students with behavior disabilities, I am committed to provide students with opportunities to have meaningful relationships with other students and adults in the school and larger community. I also know, when the social and emotional learning needs of students are not met first, no learning can occur in the classroom. I believe and expect my students and children to be able to be part of safe and supportive learning environments where all students feel valued.Research in the field of science of human development and learning demonstrates that social, emotional, and cognitive development are deeply intertwined and integral to academic learning and success. Specifically, research shows there are three major brain networks that together support a broad range of mental capacities. Through their coregulation and coordination, each of these networks contributes to social, emotional, and cognitive functioning, allowing a person to operate well in the world and to take advantage of learning opportunities. (ImmordinoYang, DarlingHammond, and Krone, 2018). SEL and academics complement rather than compete with each other. A robust body of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of SEL on academics. The research comes from numerous sources, including federallyfunded research through the Institute for Education Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation all of which have undergone rigorous review. A 2023 metaanalysis that reviewed more than 400 studies shows that students participating in SEL at school had higher school functioning, including grades, test scores, attendance, homework completion, and engagement. The metaanalysis further demonstrates that SEL creates better conditions for learning as it found students saw decreases in aggression and bullying, anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidality; felt safer at schools, and reported higher levels of inclusion, connectedness, and healthy relationships.According to 2022 polling by the National PTA, 88 percent of parents want their students to learn social and emotional skills such as respect, cooperation, perseverance, and empathy. 77% of teachers said SEL has a major benefit on students academic performance and ability to graduate. Approximately 80% of parents believe families and schools should work together to promote SEL and that social and emotional skills are essential for their childrens futures.More than 75% of parents said they support SEL because they see how teaching SEL creates a positive classroom environment where children learn the skills they need to succeed in school and their future.Large majorities of parents (80 to 90 percent) agree schools should teach skills such as setting and achieving goals, navigating social situations, or empathizing with others.93 percent of parents say it is important that their childrens schools teach social and emotional skills.Teachers recognize that SEL is critical to students academic success. A 2022 survey by EdWeek found that 83% of teachers said SEL has a positive impact on student academic outcomes. In fact, highquality SEL programming has been found to have a positive impact on teachers and other staff, reducing teacher stress and in turn creating more positive engagement with students. Teachers are experts when it comes to student learning, and we should be preparing our educators with the resources to support their preservice training as well as their professional development to support the academic, social, and emotional development of our nations students.Passing HF 2329 would hinder the development of the young people in our state to be ready to succeed both in school and in their future. I ask you to oppose HF 2329.

02-08-2024

Debra Carr []

I am submitting written comments in concerns of the proposal policy and bill to eliminate the teaching of social and emotional learning. I'm confused by such a proposal when evidence documenting the benefit of successfully living and thriving in a human environment requires all of us to have the ability and capacity to learn how to work together and collectively value, appreciate and respect the gifts, talents, and strengths of all of us.Beginning with Iowa's early learning standards, we know forming positive peer relationships, relating positively with adults and regulating behavior are foundational skills that aid in setting the conditions for learning. Beyond just the tactical application of "technical skills," adaptable skills must be developed, strengthened and modeled by adults as well as children. Gaining these skills early helps children early learn how to be collaborators and open the door to learn more about how to govern themselves in a social climate.Iowa Code Section 256.11 Educational Standard Area requires kindergarten programs to include experiences that are designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits and growth in communication skills. The research is deep and vast and clearly documents the wide range of benefits that show increased academic performance, attendance and even reduced drug usage. We also can point to examples of where graduation numbers improve and not to mention how people are able to enter the work force with solid critical thinking skills, decisionmaking skills and relationship skills.Eliminating SEL Iowa's early learning standards and instructional practices in schools would clearly negatively affect students' social, emotional, and academic wellbeing and development.Throughout a person's life we build on the foundation and fundamental values we develop over time as we learn and grow together in an everchanging global climate. To even begin to proposal such a tragic removal of social and emotional learning for building the knowledge, skills, and behaviors are absolutely harmful and unthinkable. What does it harm to model the behavior we want people to know, see, be and do......It only helps each one of us create the world we all want to learn, thrive, and grow within.Social and emotional learning is evidence based. We know that academics is not rooted separate and apart from all of us being our unique selves we bring to every human interaction we have with another person. I could go on and provide a great deal more detail but do not want to be discounted and my comments not be fully considered. Thus, I will summarize some key points. Human beings are social and emotional Building healthy identities and learning more about our social and emotional competencies early set the conditions for life success. Ongoing learning throughout our lifetime does not happen in a vacuum. Research supports having a high degree of emotional intelligence is good for humanity.Parents want additional support to reinforce strategies to help children build ways to regulate their emotions and learn how to make healthy decisions, be critical thinkers and to learn more about how to work well with others.I plead with those of you at the table considering removing social and emotional learning out of schools to STOP and do more research about this proposal. It honestly feels like an inappropriate attack on humanity to block people from building their knowledge, skill, and behaviors in all social environments. This proposal would not help our culture and climate, it would literally destroy all the ways we live as humans in a civilized society.I'm open to discuss further and offer data to support my comments made in this feedback form. I am hopeful you consider the benefits and not attack our humanity. The lack of these skills and competencies are detrimental to the health and wellbeing of humanity. We can't afford to lose sight of why this is important. Thank you for reading my comments. I hope this proposal is killed......

02-08-2024

Erica Eganhouse []

My name is Erica Eganhouse and work as an educator in our state. Including social and emotional learning as part of our students' day is vital for student success. Learning and practicing these skills improve experiences and academic outcomes for ALL students. I oppose HF2329 because passing this bill would impede learning of skills that are incredibly important to the growth and development of our students.As an educator, I often hear excuses for unpreferred student behavior such as, "well, at home. . . " or, "they have no role models." What we CAN control as educators are the skills we teach our students. Teaching them to be better listeners, work with others that have different opinions, how to recognize their emotions and what they can do if they're feeling upset, are a few of the dozens of skills students absolutely need, and are all a part of social emotional learning.Similar to learning how to read, students need to be taught these skills. They do NOT all come naturally. I do not want to think about the implications this would have on our students and our state. Our students will hopefully stay here in Iowa, as adults, with(or with the absence of) social and emotional skills taught in our schools. I'm hoping our state will identify the importance of these skills and adamantly oppose this bill.

02-08-2024

Teresa Ross-Engle []

Good afternoon,I am writing in favor of HF 2329. While I agree student need more emotional support, I do not agree with implementing 1 more thing on already limited time and resources. In most instances the General education classroom of 24 or more kids is trying to get everyone caught up to speed, support dual language issues, or challenge advanced learners in reading and math. If this is such a high need area then schools need the social workers or guidance counselors, who are the trained professionals to administer this type of curriculum. It is ridiculous to think implementing a "curriculum" in an already busy environment will fix it for students. Education reflects society, not the other way around. We have kids who need real help, not another initiative.Thank you for your time to address my concerns,Teresa RossEngle