Branstad administration announces teacher leadership symposium

DES MOINES — The Branstad administration will host its second symposium to discuss new roles for Iowa's teachers and school administrators this summer.

Gov. Terry Branstad announced the Aug. 4 'Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium' at Des Moines Area Community College during his Monday news conference.

The gathering will come as 39 school districts across the state start a new school year with plans on how to move classroom teachers into instructional and other leadership roles in their respective school districts.

The 39 districts have about a third of the state's 478,000 students.

'Our children are counting on us to give them an effective education so they are prepared for the careers of tomorrow,' Branstad said. 'We look forward to a continued dialogue with Iowa's exceptional teachers and principals as we continue to implement Iowa's teacher leadership program.'

The teacher leadership and compensation plan was a key part of Branstad's 2013 education reform package. The state promised an extra $50 million each year for the next three years to help school districts implement a system of differentiated teaching roles outlined by the law or created by the district.

For instance, a veteran teacher might want to become a teacher mentor who plays a larger role in the professional development of his or her peers in the system. The title may carry some additional administrative duties with it and the teacher would be compensated for taking on the role.

Branstad said the 'primary goal' of the new system is to raise student achievement scores, but there are other measures the state will look at as the programs roll out across the state.

'All districts set local goals on their applications' which the department will monitor, said Ryan Wise, deputy director for the department, who joined the governor and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at the news conference.

Wise called the adoption of the career roles 'revolutionary' for the opportunities in career advancement that will be available to teachers.