The Senate approved an Education plan this week that will boost student achievement, open college and career doors, and strengthen Iowa’s middle class.
Senate File 2347 invests $986 million in educational opportunities at all levels. That’s an increase of $87 million over last year. Highlights include:
• Helping beginning readers – Children have a lifelong advantage if they learn strong reading skills early in life. These dollars will fund intensive literacy programs for students in grades K-3 who are behind in reading.
• Recruiting Iowa’s future teachers – Additional funding for the Teach Iowa Scholars initiative will help recruit the next generation of great Iowa teachers and allow them get a top-notch college education.
• Supporting Teacher Leadership – This will be the first year of the Teacher Leadership initiative approved in 2013. Teachers want to see their students succeed, but teaching is a tough job. Iowa’s most effective educators will act as Teacher Leaders, working with new teachers and mentoring those looking to improve their classroom results.
• Boosting support for worker training – Reducing Iowa’s skilled worker shortage is critical to growing our economy. To tackle that problem, Iowans need job training in specific skills to fill job openings in their local communities. Funding will help adults get certified in a career field where work is readily available.
• More funding for community colleges - An increase of $8 million will help keep tuition affordable at Iowa’s community colleges, the first place many Iowans go for higher education, job training and better career opportunities.
• Expanding support for state universities - Iowa State, UNI and the University of Iowa are among the best public universities in the country, helping Iowans get life-changing skills and professional education. An increase of $24 million will continue a tuition freeze for in-state students for a second year.
• Student aid for private colleges – More financial aid for private college students will ensure all Iowa students can afford the education that’s right for them and reach their full potential.
Senate File 2347 is now being considered by the Iowa House.