Summit School District

Iowans need action, not just talk, from 'summit' on education

The Register asked Gov. Terry Branstad about his best teachers when he was going through school. One who stood out was his middle school history teacher in Forest City many years ago.
Ms. Sewick had one blue eye and one brown eye, registered every student to vote, and "loved America and history," he said. She focused on rights, responsibility and respect. Branstad credits her passion and energy with helping shape his future as a leader.

When it comes to making changes, there is talk and there is action. A summit is getting people together to talk about action.

Next week 1,600 people will gather at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines for the Iowa Education Summit, convened by Gov. Terry Branstad. The goal is to build consensus on "how to give all students a world-class education," according to the event's web site. In addition to the two-day event, the Branstad administration is gathering ideas at town meetings, roundtables and online.

Such endeavors are important. A summit rightly brings attention to an important issue that affects the economic development and the future of this state.

But after speeches, panels and other conversations, there must be action. The state and school districts must make actual changes to improve education.

"Iowans have been complacent too long and resistant to change," Branstad said during a recent meeting about education with Des Moines Register staff.

That's putting it mildly.

Iowans gets protective of the status quo when lawmakers try to make changes to preschool or impose statewide standards. See what happens if a school district official pushes for a longer school day or longer year or reducing teacher benefits so there's more money for new textbooks. That official is up against everything from busing schedules to teachers unions to parents who want schools to accommodate summer vacations.

Yet Iowans -- including parents, teachers and school districts -- must be open to changes.

The summit is broadly focusing on teacher effectiveness, academic standards, assessments and innovative ways to help students learn. What does that mean in the real world? How will talk translate into action? That must be clear to Iowans during and after the summit.

The Branstad administration plans to have a "blueprint of recommendations" in September, said Linda Fandel, the governor's education assistant. That will be followed by more discussion before moving toward shaping the recommendations into legislative proposals, she said It is in the Legislature where real progress will be made - or not.

MOAFAA: Angry parents say the Lee's Summit School District leaves ...

I am the mother of three beautiful children. Two of them have graduated from high school. One of those is in college taking remedial courses because she didn't receive the free and appropriate education that she was entitled to. I am now paying college tuition for that education. My third child is autistic and was forced to drop out of school. He was receiving no services for his autism and was no longer progressing in his classes. He was being destroyed emotionally, psychologically, and mentally. He was forced to take medication to just attend school and that affected his liver. He is 17 years old. He has a nonverbal IQ of 123 and the interpersonal skills of a one year old. My taxes have paid for an $8.6 million administration center, $12 million aquatic center, $250,000 for band uniforms,and a $15 million elementary school with empty classrooms. They have not paid for my children's education. My district boasts that they spend the least amount per student of any other district in the area. But, they will hold up their facilities to those in the much richer county to the west. We also have the second highest tax levy in Jackson County.

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