Education Reform Starts at Home: Raecker Report 3/2

Gov. Terry Branstad started a statewide discussion on education reform with stated goals to restore Iowa schools as national leaders, and to make sure Iowa students can compete in a global economy.

The governor’s plan is targeted to raise expectations for what all students should learn so that Iowa can continue to prosper and grow.  World class schools are directly related to economic development and quality of life – as every business and every parent wants to live and work in a location where they know their youth have opportunities to achieve at the highest level.

The case for education reform is solid.  As an example, in 1992 Iowa 8^th graders were 1^st in math on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) and our 4^th graders were 5^th in reading.  In 2011, Iowa 8^th graders were 25^th in math and our fourth graders were 29^th in reading.

In Urbandale we have six public, and two private, school districts that serve our students.  As a parent I have experienced the Urbandale schools at every grade level and am impressed and proud of the educational opportunities our children have received and achievement they have earned. 

I have observed and researched the factors for excellence in education - and each school district in Urbandale provides a unique perspective on what it takes to make a difference in the lives of our youth. 

I continue to ask myself how we can have such great schools and educators committed to our children’s success and, at the same time, see our achievement not keep pace with others in our country and around the world?

Like any complex system there are many answers to this question.  Public policy and funding have an impact on success, however, more money, great teachers, world-class facilities, and exceptional public policy will not get the job done.

The current public policy discussion of education reform has led to a bill in the Iowa House that is focused on issues of competency-based education, Core curriculum and content standards, teacher and administrator performance, on-line learning, class sharing, assessments, professional development, Charter schools, 3^rd grade literacy – and deep within the bill there is language on parent advocacy.

I believe the single most important factor in student success rests directly with engaged parents and caregivers – and parent engagement is not something that can be legislated. 

No amount of money or public policy will raise our 4^th grade reading scores higher than if parents read to their children for 20 minutes every day from birth to age 5.

 If we want to see our 4^th grade reading scores increase, let’s start reading to our children every day before they are even in school and see the dramatic impact we can have. 

If we want our middle school students to excel in math then parents need work with them every step of the way, attending their conferences, and making sure their homework is done well and on time to prepare them for the building blocks of success. 

If we want our high school students ready for college, career and citizenship then we as parents should help model the competencies that are necessary for excellence in everything they do – things like setting goals, working well with others, overcoming obstacles and persevering for excellence in all we do.

We live in a wonderful community full of great people and dedicated schools.  The answer of education reform rests in our individual actions and homes as much as any new public policy or increased funding.