Governor Branstad Release "Recommendations for World Class Schools"

Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad released his final recommendations for education reform on January 6. “Iowans have played a critical role as we’ve worked to elevate the conversation about improving our schools,” Governor Branstad said. “These proposals will put us on the path to make Iowa schools among the best in the world.” Brandstad’s administration’s “Recommendations for World-Class Schools” includes a number of important proposals including: 

• Evaluate teachers, principals, and superintendents annually instead of every three years.

• Establish state task forces to study important long-term issues, such as teacher leadership, compensation and questions about extending the school day or year.

• Require high school students to take end-of-course exams in core academic areas to make sure they have a solid foundation before graduation.

• Require all students in grade 11 to take a college entrance exam, such as the ACT or SAT. The state would cover the cost for students to take the exams, an expense estimated at $2.5 million.

• Eliminate requirements around seat time for academic credit to accommodate school districts that choose to adopt a system of competency-based education, which advances students based on their mastery of subjects.

• Widen the pathway for starting charter schools by giving the State Board of Education authority to approve charter applications from universities, community colleges and nonprofit organizations, as well as collaborative efforts of all these groups. Iowa’s current charter school law only allows existing school districts to establish charter schools.

• Give districts greater flexibility to meet state requirements so that schools can apply innovative ideas to improve learning. Districts would have the same flexibility that charter schools have.