Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/401002
October/November 2014 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 2 BRIEFS NEWS Bylaw Changes The Iowa State Education Association's Executive Board changed the bylaws governing the ISEA's Education Support Professionals Committee during its October meeting. Instead of a 15-member committee, the committee will be made up of one member from each UniServ Unit with an ESP local. The ISEA president may also appoint up to three at-large members to the committee but there cannot be any more than two committee members from the same UniServ Unit on the committee. ISEA members can find an up-to-date copy of the bylaws on the association website www.isea.org under the "Members Only" section. Assessment Scores in Nearly 54 percent of Iowa's public schools missed federal proficiency standards mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. According to an Iowa Department of Education report, 737 of Iowa's 1,356 public schools are classified as "in need of improvement," meaning they did not meet targets for two consecutive years that now require 100 percent of students to perform at grade level in math and reading. Those schools that receive Title 1 dollars and have failed to meet the standard two years in a row must develop improvement plans and give students an option to transfer to other schools in the district. Additional penalties exist for schools that have missed standards for three, four or more years. Several states were able to obtain waivers to the No Child Left Behind requirements. Iowa has not been able to in part because the state is still determining how big a role test scores should play in teacher evaluations. The assessment results were criticized by education leaders and lawmakers throughout the state. They agreed with Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck who told the Associated Press the law has "outlived its usefulness" and said it didn't reflect the work going on in Iowa classrooms. "While 100 percent proficiency is a laudable goal, it is also an impossible one under any circumstances," said Iowa State Education Association President Tammy Wawro in response to media inquiries. "The shoe no longer fits, yet the federal government continues to try to squeeze it on the foot. Nevertheless, some will still judge Iowa's public schools by this antiquated law, giving labels that do not measure actual classroom achievements or growth because the standards do not apply." Teachers Rate Highly Poll data released by Democrats for Public Education showed 82 percent of voters rate their teachers to be excellent, very good or good. Poll results also showed a majority of respondents, 61 percent, believe public schools need more funding. Officials with Democrats for Public Education say the poll results show that "those who castigate public schools and teachers are simply out-of-step and out-of-touch with the American people, parents and voters." Democrats for Public Education is a 527 group formed by former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and political consultant Donna Brazile whose mission is "supporting and promoting public education." A 527 group can raise money to influence the selection of public office candidates but cannot coordinate its efforts with any campaign or candidate. The survey, which was conducted by Harstad Strategic Research, can be found at the group's website www.democratsforpubliceducation.com. January 9-10, 2015 Prairie Meadows Event Center - Altoona, IA SAVE the DATE! ISEA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Questions Contact Rhonda Plimmer rplimmer@isea.org 515.471.8052 www.regonline.com/2015isealegislativeconference REGISTER NOW AT: Join us in Des Moines January 9-10, at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center for the ISEA 2015 Legislative Conference. This conference gives ISEA members the inside scoop on the legislative process and relevant policy issues. Meet elected officials and learn from policy experts from around the state. Continued on page 11