Legislative Priorities

2022 Priorities

Early Literacy (Student Achievement and Accountability)

• Supports the continued development of and funding for research on best practices for improving proficiency in early literacy strategies. 
• Supports continued funding for professional development and classroom intervention strategies focused on implementing best practices for early literacy in grades PK-3. 
• Supports the continuation of programs currently funded by the early intervention block grant program with flexibility to use those funds for other K-3 literacy programs if approved by the school board. 
• Supports additional funding for programs designed to ensure that all students meet literacy expectations by the end of 3rd grade. 

Mental Health (Student Achievement and Accountability)

Supports efforts to establish comprehensive community mental health systems to offer preventative and treatment services and comprehensive school mental health programs that include:

• In-school and telehealth access for students to mental health professionals; 
• Creation of a categorical funding stream designated for mental health professionals; 
• Reimbursement by Medicaid and private insurers for in-school services; 
• Ongoing teacher, administrator, and support staff training to improve the awareness and understanding of child emotional and mental health needs; 
• Integration of suicide prevention and coping skills into existing curriculum; 
• Expanding state-funded loan forgiveness programs to include mental health professionals who agree to provide services to schools; and 
• An ongoing mental health resources clearinghouse for schools and community providers. 

Teacher Recruitment and Licensure

Supports additional tools to attract individuals to the teaching profession, especially for teacher shortage areas including:

• Alternative teacher licensure upon completion of research-based teaching pedagogy training in addition to content knowledge in a curricular area; 
• Pathways for individuals with non-traditional educational backgrounds to meet licensure qualifications; quality professional development programs.
• Reciprocity agreements with other states with high-quality education programs so as to increase diversity among our certified teachers and administrators; 
• Expansion of programs such as: Teach Iowa Scholar, Troops to Teachers, Teacher Intern Program, and others as approved by the Board of Educational Examiners; 
•  Programs designed to recruit teachers that will better match the demographic makeup of our student population; and 
• Advocate for funding of loan forgiveness programs and grants that will make education careers a viable option.

Supplemental State Aid (Fiscal Responsibility and Stewardship)

Supports setting supplemental state aid:

• At a rate that is reflective of the state’s budgetary position in order to sufficiently support local districts’ efforts to plan, create and sustain world-class schools;
• For FY 2023, by January 31, 2022; and
• For FY 2024 and future budget years, at least 14 months prior to the certification of the school’s district budgets.

Setting supplemental state aid within the statutory requirements allows districts to make sound financial decisions on programs, staffing levels, and providing the best possible education to all students.
IASB supports a formula driven method for establishing the supplemental state aid growth rate if it is not set within the statutory requirements.