At-large candidate: Matt Ford

One of the biggest debates of the past year was Gov. Terry Branstad's position on the free, pre-Kindergarten classes our state offers. This year, the governor estimates the program will cost $70 million. The state simply cannot afford this expenditure.

Branstad had proposed a pay-to-participate preschool program costing the state $43 million with scholarships of up to $3,000 per child.

I believe a form of Branstad's plan, with some modifications, is a great direction for Iowa. We cannot continue spending money we don't have. Fiscal responsibility must take precedence at some point or our alternative is to raise taxes.

Adopting the governor's plan would grant scholarships to families at a certain income level. The monthly contribution proposed would range from $3 up to $133, depending upon a family's annual income and number of children.

The governor has stated: “Many families with means have been providing preschool for their children for a long time and are very willing to do that … while many lower-income families oftentimes couldn't do it. That's why we put together this plan, which is based on the financial needs of the family.” I couldn't agree more.

The governor and state education director, Jason Glass, plan to announce their “blueprint for education” this month. One idea is to require all Iowa's high school students to take the ACT exam in order to better gauge how well the state is preparing its students for college. The ACT also can be telling of career readiness. They'd be able to better investigate their interests, skills and knowledge, and make informed decision about their futures.

The mandatory ACT would also put in place another checkpoint for a program in the proposed blueprint, helping judge and score teachers' effectiveness. A value-added evaluation for Iowa teachers applies statistical analysis to student test scores, in order to gauge a teacher's effectiveness. Similar systems have been used by the business world for decades to assess employee performance.

Learning is not the same as reaching a sales goal or production volume, but there needs to be a way to assess teachers' abilities, too.

Effective teachers need to be rewarded for their hard work. This analysis would be one component of a yearly evaluation that reflects compensation and employment. Teachers performing year after year at high levels would be eligible for pay increases. In the business world, those who work harder and perform better are rewarded with higher pay. It is time we recognize teachers who excel.

Better communication among teachers, principals, administrators and school board is another focus of mine. I propose volunteer committees be established at each school. Each trimester, a spokesperson would present a brief “state of our school” directly to the board.

Some of the best ideas and solutions come from within! It is time to listen to them about what is working in the classroom and what is not.

Matt Ford works for Skogman Realty and is a seven-year volunteer with Junior Achievement in the Cedar Rapids schools. He has two children in the district and one in college. Comments: matt@mattfordrealtor.com