Working parents and teachers must be involved in education reform

(Des Moines) This fall Democratic legislators in the Iowa Senate and House are holding town hall meetings across Iowa to gather ideas to improve local schools. This fall Democrats have scheduled or already held more than 26 meetings.

“Iowans believe strong local schools are key to our state’s economic future,” said Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, Chair of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee. “Teachers, parents and students have lots of ideas on improving our schools. At the same time, they are wary of a one-size-fits-all approach imposed from above and about a lack of state support.”

The Branstad Administration has also been holding local education listening posts. One obvious difference is that almost all of the Republican-sponsored meetings occur during the workday, making it less likely that teachers and working families can attend. Of 21 Branstad meeting scheduled since September 1, only two started after 5 PM. Every one of the 26 Democratic-sponsored meetings scheduled since September 1 starts after 5 PM.

“To achieve real education reform, you need to get everyone on board,” said Schoenjahn. “For example, when we made high quality preschool available to every Iowa four-year-old, we did it by involving parents, teachers, employers, as well as public and private preschool providers and funders. By holding meetings this fall when everyone can attend, we will be better able to represent the voices of working parents and Iowa teachers when the education debate begins at the statehouse next spring. “

Attached is a list of local education events scheduled by Legislative Democrats and by the Branstad Administration.

Education Forums organized by Legislative Democrats since September 1
(partial list)

Date Time City
10/25/2011 6:30 PM La Porte City
10/26/2011 6:30 PM Tama
11/1/2011 6:30 PM New Hampton
11/3/2011 6:00 PM Cresco
11/7/2011 7:00 PM Northwood
11/9/2011 6:00 PM Fort Dodge
11/11/2011 6:00 PM Rockwell City
11/14/2011 5:30 PM Clinton
11/14/2011 6:30 PM Waverly
11/14/2011 6:30 PM Charles City
11/15/2011 6:00 PM Danville
11/15/2011 7:00 PM Oelwein
11/15/2011 6:30 PM Osage
11/15/2011 6:00 PM Pocahontas
11/15/2011 6:30 PM Oskaloosa
11/16/2011 5:30 PM Maquoketa
11/16/2011 5:30 PM West Liberty
11/16/2011 6:00 PM Independence
11/17/2011 6:00 PM Humboldt
11/17/2011 6:30 PM Muscatine
11/17/2011 6:30 PM Marshalltown
11/21/2011 6:00 PM Churdan
11/29/2011 6:00 PM Pella
12/13/2011 6:00 PM Centerville
12/13/2011 6:30 PM Cedar Falls
12/20/2011 6:00 PM Albia

Branstad Education Forums since September 1
*Source: Governor’s press releases https://governor.iowa.gov/category/press-releases/

Date City Time
10/06/11 Washington 9:30 AM
10/06/11 Keosauqua 12:30 PM
10/06/11 Bloomfield 2:30 PM
10/12/11 Ankeny 6:30 PM
10/15/11 Van Meter 12:30 PM
10/15/11 Council Bluffs 3:30 PM
10/16/11 Iowa City 1:00 PM
10/24/11 Hampton 11:00 AM
10/24/11 Garner 2:00 PM
10/24/11 Clarion 3:45 PM
10/25/11 Leon 9:30 AM
10/25/11 Mt/ Ayr 11:00 AM
10/25/11 Bedford 1:30 PM
10/25/11 Clarinda 3:00 PM
10/25/11 Red Oak 5:30 PM
10/26/11 Creston 9:00 AM
10/26/11 Greenfield 11:00 AM
11/15/11 Marshalltown 10:00 AM
11/15/11 Toledo 11:30 AM
11/15/11 Marion 2:30 PM
11/15/11 Cedar Falls 4:30 PM