Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/70125
COMMUNIQUÉ A PUBLICATION OF THE IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – JUNE 2012 – Vol. 49, No. 6 Legislative success! What didn't happen this year with Education Reform " said "Iowa educators are happy to embrace research- based changes that enhance student learning, ISEA President Chris Bern. "Unfortunately, not all of this year's education reform priorities were about that kind of change. " As you read about some of the proposals below that didn't make it through this Legislative session, consider the one-vote margin in the Senate that made all the difference; along with your emails, letters, and phone calls to Legislators. Support candidates in the November 6 election who agree that students should be at the center of education reform. WIN! Peer Review. Instead of evaluations based on students' standardized test scores, educator reviews will be performed annually with two years of peer reviews conducted by teachers and the third year summative review performed by an administrator. The peer review may not be used for compensation, promotion, layoff, or termination, or any other provision affecting a teacher's employment status. WIN! Online Learning. Limits 100 percent online learning to a total of 900 students in the CAM and Clayton Ridge school districts for the next three years. The teachers providing online instruction must be licensed to teach in Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 272. WIN! Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). BOEE remains an independently governed board instead of being moved under the Iowa Department of Education. The Governor-appointed Executive Director of the BOEE must now be confirmed by the Senate. WIN! Home Rule is out, Dillon's Rule remains. Home Rule means a school board can do whatever they want unless Iowa law prohibits it. Dillon's Rule states that schools may only do what they are specifically asked to do by the Iowa Legislature. WIN! Alternative Certification. You won't see teachers without training in pedagogy in Iowa classrooms yet because attempts to decrease quality standards for alternative certification were not successful in education reform legislation this year. blueprint for education reform would automatically retain third-grade students who do not pass a standardized reading test at the end of third grade. Under the new law, a student who is deficient in reading at the end of third grade in school year 2016-2017 is given the option to attend an intensive summer program or meet certain criteria for a waiver in order to be promoted to fourth grade in consultation with the student's parents, teacher, and administrator. Students may not be retained more than one year. WIN!Iowa Educator Hiring Clearinghouse. 2 IN THIS ISSUE NEWS ISEA launches E-dues! 6 WIN! Early-Childhood Literacy. The Governor's Set it... AVAILABLE NOW! E-DUES and forget it! Some key education victories Educators given more time to collaborate! The Education Reform bill (SF 2284) requires districts provide at least 36 hours of time for educators to collaborate outside of the minimum school day and not during preparation time. Community colleges appropriations increased! Community colleges receive a $13.5 million increase in their General Fund. The Faculty Salary Allocation was retained for the year at $500,000. In addition, another $8 million will be deposited into the Workforce Training and Development Fund and $5 million is appropriated for the Skilled Workforce Shortage Grant. National Board Certified Teachers funded! The proposed Educator Clearing House would have required all education jobs in the state to go through the Iowa Department of Education and required a mandatory personality test for any applicant. cont.' on page 9 Teachers who apply for National Board Certified Training may receive reimbursement up to the registration fee if they qualify for certification. In addition, a National Board Certified teacher may receive $3,500 per year for 10 years. The award is retroactive for those who applied and received certification after December 31, 2007. The ISEA has multiple training programs to take you through the process of applying and becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. Go to isea.org for more information. DELEGATE ASSEMBLY New officers elected at Delegate Assembly 11 LEGAL Big risks for educators who ignore bullying and harassment