Wednesday, March 15, 2006 For More Information:

Rep. Reichert, 515-281-3221

REICHERT SUPPORTS EXPANSION OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Des Moines, Iowa – State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine supported two education proposals in the Iowa House today to improve student achievement and expand early childhood education so kids are ready for kindergarten.

“The key to improving student achievement is making sure we have great teachers in the classroom,” said Reichert. “Unfortunately, we are losing thousands of quality teachers to other states because our pay is not competitive. It's 41st in the nation. We must do more to encourage our best and brightest to become teachers in Iowa and keep the good teachers we already have in our schools.”

In 2001, the Iowa Legislature set out an ambitious strategy to improve student achievement by making Iowa teachers better and keeping good teachers in the classroom. The law required more accountability from teachers in return for more competitive salaries, but the Legislature has reneged on its salary promise. Reichert supported an amendment to keep the state's obligation to teachers with an additional $30 million to make pay more competitive, but the amendment failed when all Republicans voted "no."

Reichert also supported a plan to include more children in early childhood education programs, but the proposed $15 million investment also failed on a party line vote.

“Every child in Iowa should be ready to learn when they enter school,” added Reichert. “And we know that early childhood education is a wise investment for our state, returning $7 for every $1 invested. We need to continue to expand early childhood education so every child in Iowa has an opportunity to attend preschool. The $15 million increase that I supported would have increased the quality of pre-school education and allowed more kids to attend.”

Reichert said the rejection of these amendments is worrisome, but that there is still a chance to make some progress this year.

“We’ve been riding on our education reputation for too long now and we are no longer leading the world,” concluded Reichert. “While it’s unfortunate these education priorities with broad support became the victim of partisan politics today, I’m optimistic we can improve the situation in negotiations with Senate and Governor Vilsack. We can’t afford to wait any longer, and should not adjourn until we do better for the children of Iowa.”

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