At-large candidate: David Law

By David Law

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‘Our children are our best investment for the future of our society.” I was reminded of this while attending the governor's Education Summit in July. When the statistics regarding early childhood education are analyzed, it quickly becomes apparent that preschool education is an important investment.

Students who attend preschool have better performance records not only on standardized tests but also have fewer behavioral problems as they progress through school. In order to make sure that 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, not just a single set of test scores, will be used to frame the future of Iowa's education reform. Through the study of the best practices available in education and the use of proven technology, our schools can once again excel. We are at a turning point in the theories regarding education, and we have the largest information base available.

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 marketplace. 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 you need to know, we need to remember that the arts should be a vital part of every student's education.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has stated that “We need more arts education, not less.”

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 such as bullying.

Our teachers have made a herculean effort to respond to the demands of society and the needs of our children. In a world in which ideas about education are rapidly changing, we need our dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals, nurses and librarians, custodians and bus drivers. All branches of education 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.

David Law, of Marion, married with two adult children, is a retired music educator. In 2004 he was selected as the Educator of the Year from Linn County, and in 2003, he received the National Board Certification in Music. He is the founder and conductor of the Marion Community Bands. Comments: maestrolaw@gmail.com