Iowa continues to beat up on public schools

   A month ago, in the Feb. 15 Express, I shared my opinion about the state of public education in Iowa.

   The hits just keep coming! Our schools cannot catch a break…

   I think the Iowa Legislature is forgetting that teachers, staff, school administrators, and school board members are parents, too. All this talk about parents’ choice; but they’re giving a voice to those who are on one side of the issue, not all parents.

   I have friends who work in the schools; they have children in the same school. They certainly aren’t on the same one-sided wave length as these parents our lawmakers seem to be listening to.

   There seems to be two major themes coming out of this legislative session, and beating up on education seems to be target number-one.

   HF 430 sticks with our legislature’s rallying cry of “parents’ choice.” It allows for more parents to serve on the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), which oversees teachers in public schools.

   Right now, that board includes 12 members, two being members of the public and nine school staff. This new bill changes that make up to five “licensed practitioners, five parents, and one school board member.” Again, the BOEE could potentially be 100 percent parents because teachers and school board members are parents, too.

   HF 225 changes the path teachers must follow to become licensed in Iowa. Under this bill, someone with a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience can teach students in grades 6-12. “They would not have to meet other current licensing requirements but would be required to complete additional coursework while interning,” according to Iowa Capital Dispatch.

   So based on those stipulations, I would be qualified to teach writing, English, reading, photography, etc., subjects similar to my work experience the last 14 years. Take my word for it; you do NOT want me teaching impressionable children! It wouldn’t be good for any of us, let alone my mental health!

   This bill is one way for our state to address the shortage of teachers and staff in Iowa right now. But like I said in my Feb. 15 column, that shortage falls on the bullies in Des Moines. They are making it harder for educators to want to do their job, let alone enjoy doing their job.

   This bill also treats the years of education, hard work, and debt many teachers went through as if it was all for nothing.

   Why would you become a teacher right now in Iowa? You have to constantly be looking over your shoulder, afraid that the state or these parents for choice are watching your every move. Don’t teach their child about slavery. Don’t teach their child about acceptance of others who are different than they are (basic manners). Don’t ask their child to read classic books and literature. Don’t call their child “Alex” when his name is “Alexander” or her name is “Alexandria.” So many rules for what teachers cannot do… You slip up; this new BOEE will have you fired!