Gov. Kim Reynolds celebrated a new ranking that places Iowa in the top 10 for education freedom Thursday.She joined the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in downtown Des Moines to discuss school choice and the state of Iowa's education system. The Heritage Foundation's Education Freedom Report Card is an annual analysis of states based on education freedom. All 50 states are ranked using four categories: education choice, teacher freedom, academic transparency and education spending return on investment.Iowa ranked nine in the nation for overall education freedom in 2023. It made the biggest leap in overall ranking this year out of all the states. In 2022, it was ranked 22. This year's report card shows Iowa moved up 13 spots.It is the fourth-best state in the country for education choice, according to the Heritage Foundation. That's up five spots in the category from 2022. "I am extremely proud of the work we've done in the recent years to ensure every student in our state has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and in life," Reynolds said during her remarks at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel.Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts said the boost in Iowa's ranking can be attributed to the 'school choice' bill Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law at the beginning of the year. "The one thing is their universal school choice bill and the leadership encouraged by your governor and by state legislators who decided to take a hard vote on behalf of Iowa kids," Roberts said.Roberts said his conservative think tank played a role in helping the education savings account program pass earlier in the year. Reynolds touted that legislation Thursday and said she was proud to kick off "America's school choice revolution." "I'm really, really, really incredibly proud of what we accomplished just this year and the number of ESA applications," Reynolds said. "They exceeded both of our, not only our expectations but our projections."The state said in October that 9,612 ESA applications were submitted this year, and nearly 18,893 applications were approved.In a statement made to KCCI, Iowa State Education Association president Mike Beranek said:“The Heritage Foundation is an ultra-conservative think tank that lobbies for policies that weaken public schools, including using public money for private school vouchers, tax-funded tuition credits for private schools, expanding private charters, and defunding public schools. Any group can make a report card, but understanding their values and mission is critical. We are highly disappointed that Governor Reynolds supports their beliefs. Iowa’s public schools are outstanding and deserve our support, not a made-up ranking."Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Rita Hart said:"Iowa Republicans are using manufactured statistics to make themselves look better after years of underfunding public education in Iowa. They hide under the guise of 'freedom' while refusing to pay our teachers fair wages and failing to make sure that public school funding is keeping up with the cost of inflation. They hide under the word "freedom" while requiring teachers to jump through more hoops, imposing further restrictions on teachers' ability to teach, refusing to pay teachers fair wages, and making it especially harder for our rural schools to keep their doors open due to inadequate funding that does not keep up with the cost of inflation."Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) said:“In this week’s school board elections, Iowans showed us they’re tired of far-right special interests trying to dictate education in our state. Gov. Reynolds should listen to Iowans, not wealthy out-of-state special interests. Iowans support public moneys for public schools and oppose book banning and other ideological education agendas that undermine traditional Iowa values.”House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said:“Just two days ago, Iowans soundly rejected special interest groups like The Heritage Foundation and Moms for Liberty in school board races across Iowa. They are tired of politics and they don’t want the government, right-wing groups, or politicians dictating what their kids learn.Governor Reynolds should stop standing with the special interests and playing politics.Iowans trust teachers and they value strong public schools.Iowa Democrats agree. It’s time to put people over politics.”Florida took the top spot in the rankings. Reynolds said she hopes Iowa will be in the top five next year. Roberts said Iowa can get there by making sure every child is eligible for the ESA program, increasing transparency and giving teachers more freedom.
Gov. Kim Reynolds celebrated a new ranking that places Iowa in the top 10 for education freedom Thursday.
She joined the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in downtown Des Moines to discuss school choice and the state of Iowa's education system.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The Heritage Foundation's Education Freedom Report Card is an annual analysis of states based on education freedom. All 50 states are ranked using four categories: education choice, teacher freedom, academic transparency and education spending return on investment.
Iowa ranked nine in the nation for overall education freedom in 2023. It made the biggest leap in overall ranking this year out of all the states. In 2022, it was ranked 22. This year's report card shows Iowa moved up 13 spots.
It is the fourth-best state in the country for education choice, according to the Heritage Foundation. That's up five spots in the category from 2022.
"I am extremely proud of the work we've done in the recent years to ensure every student in our state has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and in life," Reynolds said during her remarks at the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts said the boost in Iowa's ranking can be attributed to the 'school choice' bill Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law at the beginning of the year.
"The one thing is their universal school choice bill and the leadership encouraged by your governor and by state legislators who decided to take a hard vote on behalf of Iowa kids," Roberts said.
Roberts said his conservative think tank played a role in helping the education savings account program pass earlier in the year. Reynolds touted that legislation Thursday and said she was proud to kick off "America's school choice revolution."
"I'm really, really, really incredibly proud of what we accomplished just this year and the number of ESA applications," Reynolds said. "They exceeded both of our, not only our expectations but our projections."
The state said in October that 9,612 ESA applications were submitted this year, and nearly 18,893 applications were approved.
In a statement made to KCCI, Iowa State Education Association president Mike Beranek said:
“The Heritage Foundation is an ultra-conservative think tank that lobbies for policies that weaken public schools, including using public money for private school vouchers, tax-funded tuition credits for private schools, expanding private charters, and defunding public schools. Any group can make a report card, but understanding their values and mission is critical. We are highly disappointed that Governor Reynolds supports their beliefs. Iowa’s public schools are outstanding and deserve our support, not a made-up ranking."
Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Rita Hart said:
"Iowa Republicans are using manufactured statistics to make themselves look better after years of underfunding public education in Iowa. They hide under the guise of 'freedom' while refusing to pay our teachers fair wages and failing to make sure that public school funding is keeping up with the cost of inflation.
They hide under the word "freedom" while requiring teachers to jump through more hoops, imposing further restrictions on teachers' ability to teach, refusing to pay teachers fair wages, and making it especially harder for our rural schools to keep their doors open due to inadequate funding that does not keep up with the cost of inflation."
Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) said:
“In this week’s school board elections, Iowans showed us they’re tired of far-right special interests trying to dictate education in our state. Gov. Reynolds should listen to Iowans, not wealthy out-of-state special interests. Iowans support public moneys for public schools and oppose book banning and other ideological education agendas that undermine traditional Iowa values.”
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said:
“Just two days ago, Iowans soundly rejected special interest groups like The Heritage Foundation and Moms for Liberty in school board races across Iowa. They are tired of politics and they don’t want the government, right-wing groups, or politicians dictating what their kids learn.
Governor Reynolds should stop standing with the special interests and playing politics.
Iowans trust teachers and they value strong public schools.
Iowa Democrats agree. It’s time to put people over politics.”
Florida took the top spot in the rankings. Reynolds said she hopes Iowa will be in the top five next year. Roberts said Iowa can get there by making sure every child is eligible for the ESA program, increasing transparency and giving teachers more freedom.
"freedom" - Google News
November 10, 2023 at 10:15AM
https://ift.tt/Yl7j0ZC
Iowa moves up in education freedom rankings after year of sweeping reform - KCCI Des Moines
"freedom" - Google News
https://ift.tt/pfWMRh2
https://ift.tt/jgnNPtw
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Iowa moves up in education freedom rankings after year of sweeping reform - KCCI Des Moines"
Post a Comment