It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week, and I got several good responses to the question of how you’d want to help them (scroll to the end to see those!)
Now, I’ve got another question, specifically for Iowa’s teachers:
Iowa joins lawsuit against feds over protections for LGBTQ+ students
Left: Reynolds at the signing for the voucher bill. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Right: Brenna Bird portrait in front of the Iowa Capitol.
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday she was directing Attorney General Brenna Bird to sue the US Department of Education because of new federal rules to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination.
A total of 17 states are suing the government over the new rules. All of those states have passed or attempted to pass laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ students and/or adults.
The rules issued last month establish national minimum staffing requirements for federally-funded nursing homes, enact national appointment wait time standards for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, and more.
Iowa Republicans have made outlawing gay marriage a key goal in their 2024 party platform.
During the Iowa GOP’s 2024 state convention on Saturday, Republican delegates endorsed a policy platform that calls for the repeal of the federal Respect for Marriage Act that protects heterosexual and interracial marriages.
Some Iowa Republicans wanted to crack down on the sale of THC drinks in the state. But the bill they passed won’t really change the drinks you can get.
Iowa House Minority Leader Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights) addressed the long-term costs for Iowa taxpayers of Gov. Reynolds’ private school tuition voucher program in a recent interview for “Iowa Press.”
This week, I asked subscribers for their ideas on how to make Iowa’s public schools better:
“Help our educators by addressing mental health.” ~Jackie Norris, Des Moines Public Schools board chair
“Make evaluations a coaching situation to make instruction better … The other extreme is the gotcha evals that too many teachers face.” ~Greg S.
“Respect them and let them do their job!” ~CJ N.
“Stop villainizing them and treating them like the enemy.” ~Toni M.
“Start by voting out the 80+ year old white legislators who insist on dragging Iowa in the 1800’s.” ~Gordy G.
“Electing Rob Sand for Governor.” ~Steve L.
“Provide adequate funding (5% SSA) so that schools can sustain the teacher pay increases … and honestly look at the AEA task force recommendations for improving the services.” ~Jennifer P.
