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No summer vacation for many Eastern Iowa teachers
Kevin Wake sets up audio cables for the final dress rehearsal of "The Tempest" at Brucemore on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. Wake teaches language arts and is technical director at Marion...
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Empowering parents
By Ron Toyne—– I do not know of any Iowa parent who does not want his or her child to perform well in school, but I cannot help wondering if the parents of Iowa’s school-age children have all the...
View Article`Open Door’ series opens eyes as well
By Quad-City Times—-All schools are not created equal.Nor should they be.Admittedly, Iowa is moving toward a common curriculum. Parents and students should expect shared achievement goals regardless of...
View ArticleStart selling schools plan now
By The Des Moines Register—-Iowans value education. We know it is important to individual families and this state’s economic future. So it’s troubling when our schools slip in national education...
View ArticleNo `silver bullet,’ but it’s good to keep education discussion going
By Globe Gazette (Mason City)—-Discussion of education has been elevated since Gov. Terry Branstad took office.Branstad made it clear early on in his political resurrection that all new ideas would be...
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Students need foundation in basics
By Alta M. Cook—- Unfortunately in the 1960s and ’70s, liberal theories expounded from several directions and permeated educational circles.Neil Postman, in “Teaching as a Subversive Activity,”...
View ArticleEducators weigh in on reform plan
CEDAR RAPIDS — The day after Gov. Terry Branstad released a draft of his blueprint for education reform, a who’s who of Eastern Iowa educators gathered to share their thoughts with Linda Fandel, his...
View ArticleIowa gets education reform plan worth fighting for
By Quad City Times—By launching Iowa education reform outside of the legislative process, Gov. Terry Branstad gingerly sidestepped conflicts that dominate public education debate, leaving schools mired...
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Schools aren’t meant to serve as assembly lines
By Maggie Willems—– As a proud member of the teaching profession, I am outraged at the recent statement made by Linda Fandel, who serves as Gov. Terry Branstad’s Special Assistant to Education. When...
View ArticleFour area teachers honored by governor
Four area teachers were honored at the Iowa Teacher of The Year luncheon Friday in Des Moines.The Iowa Teacher of the Year is Charity Campbell, Norwalk Middle School, Norwalk.Iowa Teacher of the Year...
View ArticleA longer school year is a must in Iowa
By The Des Moines Register—- Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to reform education relies heavily on teachers, testing and innovation. After listening to suggestions at town hall meetings around the state,...
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System, not educators, needs reform
The small-town teacher had listened to Jamie Vollmer, former president of the Great Midwestern Ice Cream Company, executive director of the Iowa Business and Education Roundtable and popular lecturer....
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Reform the system, not the teachers
By Nick Smith—-If Iowans truly want to reform education, reform the system, not the educators. Teachers know they are employed in a career that demands everything they have to effectively teach...
View ArticleMoving forward: A student response to the State of the Union address
January 24, 2012- The State of the Union address, lasting one hour and five minutes was Obama’s detailed “blueprint for an economy that’s built to last.” The speech was jam packed with information and...
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Why judge by grades?
What makes a teacher great? We could discuss that question for days.Or the even tougher question: How do we get our hands on enough excellent teachers to put one in every Iowa classroom?Can we do it...
View ArticleA better measurement
By The Gazette Editorial Board—– We’re glad to see that Iowa Education Director Jason Glass has applied for a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements on behalf of Iowa’s schools.Although...
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Decisions will be made in the best interests of UNI’s future
By Ben Allen—- To students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the University of Northern Iowa:As all of you know, UNI is a special place — a place to earn an outstanding education in a beautifully...
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Charter option for Polk
By Clark McLeod—- I am sure there are many in the community who would like to help the children, parents and teachers who feel Polk Elementary School is a special environment for learning. As an...
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Education reform larger than 1 approach
By Mark Putnam—- In general, the opinions we express about schools are often informed by observations we made through our particular experience — teachers and classrooms we have known. Yet, the immense...
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“No Child” waiver denial is bigger than blame
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG) Gov. Terry Branstad was pretty quick with the pointing finger once news broke that Iowa’s request for a waiver from No Child Left Behind...
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