Lawmakers optimistic on education reform

DES MOINES - Lawmakers in the split-control Iowa Legislature are optimistic they will be able to pass a scaled-back version of Gov. Terry Branstad's proposed education reform package later this month before adjourning.

The Republican-controlled House passed legislation in February that would require more student testing and seeks to expand charter schools. The bill also included a controversial third-grade retention program.

But the House also rejected components of Branstad's reform recommendations. A requirement that prospective teachers have and maintain a 3.0 GPA was eliminated. Restrictions on online classes also were added to the bill.

Democrats who hold a 26-24 edge in the Senate are expected to pass their modifications to the legislation this week.

Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, co-chairman of the Senate Education Budget Subcommittee and vice chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said finding middle ground among the competing reform approaches will come down to “what's doable, what's sustainable and what works.”

Much of the Senate debate will focus on early reading emphasis and small class sizes, Schoenjahn said. He added that other issues expected to receive attention are an expansion of core classes to include arts, music and technology, making more time available for classroom coaching to improve teachers' skills, and the use of online learning resources.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, chairman of the Senate Education Committee who will be floor manager of the education reform bill, said there's broad support for competency-based education and for expanding the topics covered by the core curriculum. He also said there's strong support for early-grade reading and getting students help early.

However, Quirmbach noted “some controversy over retention decisions” that would end social promotion for students struggling to read after finishing third grade.

Quirmbach also noted “a lot of heartburn” over two Iowa school districts that have announced plans to open online academies this fall.

Clayton Ridge Community School District and CAM Community School District have contracted with private online education providers. Under their plans, students from across the state would be able to enroll in the academies and have their lessons delivered over the Internet. The private companies receive the students' state aid as payment, less an administrative fee of 3 percent or 3.5 percent that goes to the host district.

Quirmbach expressed concern that virtual academies in Colorado have been marred by high dropout rates and low achievement levels.

“That's not a direction we want to go,” he said.

A major obstacle to agreement between the House and Senate will be financing, Schoenjahn noted. He said Senate Democrats won't accept a House Republican proposal to shift money from existing programs. The reforms are expected to cost at least $17 million.

“I think if House Republicans really want to follow through on their governor's proposal, I think they're going to have to put some money on the table,” Quirmbach said. “There are some things in the bill that we can do that don't cost any money, but if you really want to intervene and help early childhood or early grade reading, you've got to put some resources into that. That's one of the top priorities of our caucus to be sure.”

Rep. Greg Forristall, R-Macedonia, chairman of the House Education Committee, said the prospects are good for lawmakers to be able to deliver some version of education reform to Branstad's desk this month. But he said it was still too early to say definitely what that package might look like, and as to how and at what level it would be funded.

“There is some portion of ed reform that has a pretty good shot,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha. “There is a handful of things we're in agreement on. I think there are pieces of consequence that I'm hoping we can get done.”

Jason Glass, director of the State Department of Education, said last week that he remains “optimistic and encouraged that we will have a significant education reform bill this session.”

Schoenjahn shared that optimism, although he noted that “in the Senate, we're in agreement with several of the governor's reforms. I think he's got more of a reach with some folks in the House than he has with the Senate, it would appear.”