The governor has stirred up a hornet's nest on this. While the voucher program posed an abstract threat to public schools generally, dismantling the AEAs could be devastating not only to rural school districts but to specific, identifiable kids and families. Their parents will not take this lying down.
Thank you for writing about the good work done by the AEA all across our state. The governor and the the republican leadership in the legislature are way over their skis - again.
Thank you Cheryl. I’ve been looking into this as you have and believe people are being motivated to push back on the governor’s attempt at total privatization of our public education system. My question is who is behind her on this. I know ALEC and the DeVos Foundation, but where does she get her libertarian agenda from?
Thank you, Denise. It surely seems that a drive toward privatization is underlying much of what we are seeing in public education. She definitely has been following the lead of other Republican states, and the impact of model legislation produced and promoted by ALEC shouldn't be underestimated. Several times in the past couple of years, I've heard her say,
"Iowa is the only state that does this or doesn't do that." I'm hopeful that Iowans will reject her cookie-cutter approach to government. Not sure on her libertarian bent; need to figure that out.
ISEA and AEA have excellent resources on their websites. The Governor is playing hide and seek with her AEA proposals; a game better suited for the playground, not for policy making
The ABC's of good policy-making: bring interest groups together, consider short and long term effects of policy changes, and do no harm. Putting a halt to the current proposal and completing their homework, Reynolds and legislative R leaders will avoid getting a failing grade for the thousands of Iowa. children and families. who rely on AEA services. There is no grading curve.. Rural and urban schools will also suffer, other students will be impacted.
Thanks, Ralph. Yes, as I understand it, this proposal doesn't represent a good-faith effort to seek out and consider all stakeholders. Or, as you say, "do no harm".
I have not read of pre-session efforts to consider all stakeholders. The pushback to both of the Gov.’s proposals is evidence of an absence of efforts.
I heard Rob Sands, Iowa Auditor, at a talk a few weeks ago.
As I understood it, the new voucher system for private schools will NOT be audited! Evidently Kim and the Repubs think everyone who gets these thousands of dollars in state taxpayer money are ALL trustworthy and none would think of enriching themselves .... (after all, nobody is looking).
I would like to see somebody smarter than me look into this.
Kinda reminds me of the "Iowa Movie Tax Credits Program" from 15 or so years ago that was so rampant with fraud and abuse it was cancelled.
Hi, George. That is my understanding, too. Other states that have expanded these private school vouchers are uncovering fraud (I believe Arizona is one of the more recent instances). Like the movie tax credit program, it offers a significant potential for "bad actors."
The governor has stirred up a hornet's nest on this. While the voucher program posed an abstract threat to public schools generally, dismantling the AEAs could be devastating not only to rural school districts but to specific, identifiable kids and families. Their parents will not take this lying down.
Laura, I certainly hope that families, teachers, and thought leaders can get through to legislators and the governor. Thank you.
The governor clearly doesn't have an open mind about this. The only hope is to stop it in the legislature.
Yes, I am sure you're right!
Thank you for writing about the good work done by the AEA all across our state. The governor and the the republican leadership in the legislature are way over their skis - again.
Thank you, Cheryl, for helping make sense of this situation and of Reynolds’ possible motives. Very helpful.
Thanks, Jim. I see that you have an upcoming storyteller gig! I’m impressed!
Julie Gammack says it will be fun, and of course she is my role model! Thanks.
Ha!
Thank you Cheryl. I’ve been looking into this as you have and believe people are being motivated to push back on the governor’s attempt at total privatization of our public education system. My question is who is behind her on this. I know ALEC and the DeVos Foundation, but where does she get her libertarian agenda from?
Thank you, Denise. It surely seems that a drive toward privatization is underlying much of what we are seeing in public education. She definitely has been following the lead of other Republican states, and the impact of model legislation produced and promoted by ALEC shouldn't be underestimated. Several times in the past couple of years, I've heard her say,
"Iowa is the only state that does this or doesn't do that." I'm hopeful that Iowans will reject her cookie-cutter approach to government. Not sure on her libertarian bent; need to figure that out.
ISEA and AEA have excellent resources on their websites. The Governor is playing hide and seek with her AEA proposals; a game better suited for the playground, not for policy making
.https://www.isea.org/resource-library/aea-toolkit
https://iowaaea.org/about/advocate-for-aeas/
Thank you, Ralph!
The ABC's of good policy-making: bring interest groups together, consider short and long term effects of policy changes, and do no harm. Putting a halt to the current proposal and completing their homework, Reynolds and legislative R leaders will avoid getting a failing grade for the thousands of Iowa. children and families. who rely on AEA services. There is no grading curve.. Rural and urban schools will also suffer, other students will be impacted.
Thanks, Ralph. Yes, as I understand it, this proposal doesn't represent a good-faith effort to seek out and consider all stakeholders. Or, as you say, "do no harm".
I have not read of pre-session efforts to consider all stakeholders. The pushback to both of the Gov.’s proposals is evidence of an absence of efforts.
That's the case, as I understand it, too, Ralph. There is a hearing tomorrow (I think Room 103), so we should know more. Thanks.
I heard Rob Sands, Iowa Auditor, at a talk a few weeks ago.
As I understood it, the new voucher system for private schools will NOT be audited! Evidently Kim and the Repubs think everyone who gets these thousands of dollars in state taxpayer money are ALL trustworthy and none would think of enriching themselves .... (after all, nobody is looking).
I would like to see somebody smarter than me look into this.
Kinda reminds me of the "Iowa Movie Tax Credits Program" from 15 or so years ago that was so rampant with fraud and abuse it was cancelled.
Hi, George. That is my understanding, too. Other states that have expanded these private school vouchers are uncovering fraud (I believe Arizona is one of the more recent instances). Like the movie tax credit program, it offers a significant potential for "bad actors."
Great column!
Thanks, John!