SJR 2012 (LSB 5699SV (1) 91)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2012

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SJR 2008)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution supporting devolution of power from the United States department of education to the states.

   WHEREAS, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and education is not enumerated as a responsibility of the federal government; and
   WHEREAS, the United States department of education’s creation in 1980 has led to significant federal overreach in education through burdensome regulations and one-size-fits-all mandates; and
   WHEREAS, despite an annual budget of $60 billion and another $276 billion in one-time spending for COVID-19 recovery efforts, fourth and eighth grade reading scores remain roughly unchanged since the early 1990s when national measurements first began; and
   WHEREAS, states and local communities possess unique knowledge of their students’ educational needs and are best positioned to develop the curriculum and policies that reflect their values and priorities; and
   WHEREAS, President Trump has publicly expressed a desire to eliminate the United States department of education and rightfully put the states back in charge of education; and
   WHEREAS, the elimination of the United States department of education is not only a constitutional necessity, but will also cause taxpayer dollars to be spent more efficiently and lead to better student outcomes; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   That the General Assembly of the State of Iowa supports federal efforts to eliminate the United States department of education and urges the United States Congress to fully cooperate with these efforts.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution supports the devolution of power from the United States department of education to the states.
   The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and education is not enumerated as a responsibility of the federal government. The resolution provides that the United States department of education has resulted in burdensome regulations and general mandates, and that high levels of spending have not resulted in an increase in student reading scores.
   The resolution provides that states and local communities are best positioned to develop curriculum and policies because they possess unique knowledge of their students’ educational needs, that President Trump has expressed a desire to eliminate the United States department of education, and that such elimination will result in taxpayer dollars being spent more efficiently.
   The resolution states that the General Assembly supports federal efforts to eliminate the United States department of education and urges the United States Congress to fully cooperate with these efforts.