Keeping great teachers in Iowa classrooms

Written by Matt McCoy | 19 August 2010

When it comes to improving student achievement, there is nothing more important than having great teachers in Iowa classrooms.

That’s why I’ve supported efforts to recruit and keep the best teachers by raising average teacher pay. The good news is that Iowa now ranks 26th in the nation when it comes to teacher pay.

In addition, teacher quality, professional development and class-size reduction will be linked to the No. 1 goal of our Iowa education system: improved student achievement. We’ll ensure our investments are paying off by increasing accountability and regularly assessing the progress of students and educators.

Improving student achievement by increasing accountability

Written by Matt McCoy | 18 August 2010

Here in Iowa, we’re on the right path to improving student achievement so that students are ready for a future in which local business happens on a global scale and access to information is virtually unlimited.

Iowa’s plan to position our students for success in this new landscape focuses on innovative educational opportunities, improving achievement for ALL students, increasing high school graduation rates, and ensuring preparation for college and careers.

Every parent must have confidence that a diploma from their local high school reflects the educational rigor and relevance that will allow young people to succeed in the global economy. We’re helping to provide that guarantee by investing in the Iowa Core Curriculum. It offers a top-notch classroom experience for students by helping teachers know what to teach and how to teach it.

The Iowa Core Curriculum outlines what all Iowa students should know and be able to do in the areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and 21st century skills. To learn more about the Iowa Core Curriculum and what it means for our students, go to www.corecurriculum.iowa.gov.

Local projects awarded historic preservation grants

Written by Matt McCoy | 17 August 2010

The State Historical Society of Iowa has awarded grant to three Polk County projects through the Historical Resource Development Program. Funding comes from the successful Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), which the Legislature established in 1989.

  • Polk County Recorder’s Office: $30,000 for the Polk County Recorder’s Document Project, which will microfilm and digitize valuable land/deed records dating to 1900.
  • Iowa Department for the Blind: $23,370 for the History of Blindness in Iowa project. Grant funding will be used to collect personal histories of blind Iowans and to collect and catalog related historical objects. Stories will be compiled through oral histories and solicitation of written memories.
  • Iowa Department for the Blind: $14,379 for the History of Blindness in Iowa project to complete an application to place the Iowa Department for the Blind’s building on the National Register of Historical Places.

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