Legislative tinkering might be enough for now

Last summer there was no limit to the state's ambitions for education reform.

We were going to pave the way for 21st century learning, light a fire under every student, reclaim our title as the state that does education right.

But as the legislative session winds down, it's looking more and more like we'll end up with a watered-down set of modifications and a whole lot of work ahead.

It seems that the governor and legislators all agree on competency-based standards, annual evaluations and more professional development for teachers and some kind of expansion in online learning. All want to explore, by pilot or task force, the idea of changing school calendar requirements.

But should we include character education in the Iowa Core? Establish a parent advocacy network? Change the way we hire and fire teachers? Install a stop sign at the end of third grade and hold kids back if they can't read? These are the questions keeping lawmakers up at night. Not exactly the stuff of revolution.

That's got some people disappointed. Not me. In fact, I think it might be for the best if, for now, all we're able to manage is a little tinkering around the edges of the current system.

It was a naive, if noble, impulse in the first place that led state leaders to think they could draw up a perfect reform blueprint, push it through the Legislature and impose it on Iowa's schools - all in a matter of months.

The truth is that while there's no shortage of opinions, no one knows, exactly, what a 21st century education should look like. Yet.

But in the last year, we've started taking the question seriously. Started talking possibilities in PTO meetings, breakrooms and around dinner tables across the state. Not just legislators, but teachers, administrators, parents and even kids.

Last weekend, our parent company hosted a daylong brainstorming session, challenging dozens of interested folks to think bigger about the future of education (you can find out more about it at http://iowatransformed.com).

The result is a broader and richer conversation today than we had a year ago. But it's going to take a lot more conversation and a little trial and error to figure out where we want schools to go and how to get there.

And that will be true regardless of whether or not legislators decide to bar schools from opening their doors before the state fair shuts down for the season.

So I say: Why worry if lawmakers seem preoccupied with rearranging deck chairs?

There's so much more to talk about.

Comments: (319) 339-3154; jennifer.hemmingsen@sourcemedia.net