MARION INDEPENDENT: DAVID LAW

Preschool education is an important investment. Students who attend preschool perform better on standardized tests and have fewer behavioral problems as they progress through school. In order to make sure all Iowans have access to this necessary component of a world class education, every attempt must be made by the legislature to provide a secure and adequate long term funding formula for preschool education.

I hope that all available data and not a single set of test scores will be used to frame the future of Iowa's educational reform. Through the study of best practices and the use of proven technology, our schools can once again excel. We are at a turning point in the theories regarding education. Tools used in the past successfully should be kept and modified to fit each Iowa community, but our students also need a common standard set of educational tools to develop into well-rounded citizens of our country and competitive consumers in the global market place. With careful thought, planning, and appropriate action, we can craft a strategy that will lift our students into the top tier of a globally competitive economy and workplace.

The United States is the most creative country in the world. Inventive employees are highly valued in the workplace, and the arts are a wonderful way to introduce and nurture creativity. Thinking outside the box has always been an asset to businesses. Countries like China and Japan are sending their best students to our universities and schools to discover our teaching methods and duplicate our creative ability. When the computing ability of your cellphone is greater than the computational ability of NASA when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and you can Google almost anything, the arts should be a vital part of every student's education.

The educational landscape has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Schools are now responsible for more of the student's day, from nutrition at breakfast to after-school programs, teaching character traits along with self-esteem, and tackling problems like bullying. Our teachers have made a herculean effort to respond. In a world in which ideas about education are rapidly changing, we need dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals, nurses and librarians, custodians and bus drivers. All educators need and deserve the respect and cooperation of the entire community in order for our students to achieve greatness.

When you vote, remember that our children are your best investment.

' More information: dlaw@marion-isd.org