WHO: Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Redington

Scott County Sheriff Dennis Conard

Bettendorf Schools Superintendent Theron J. Schutte, Ph.D.

WHAT: News conference to release "Doing Well Prevents Doing Time," a Fight Crime: Invest in Kids report that spotlights how continued implementation of the Iowa Core education standards and assessments will reduce future crime.

WHERE: Paul Norton Elementary School, 4485 Greenbriar Dr., Bettendorf, IA

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10

DETAILS:  While many Iowa educators view the Iowa Core education standards as a driving force for academic achievement, law enforcement leaders see another benefit: reductions in future crime.

The link is stronger than many people might realize, according to Bettendorf Police Chief Phil Redington, Scott County Sheriff Dennis Conard, and Bettendorf schools superintendent Theron J. Schutte, Ph.D. By specifying the skills and knowledge students must acquire at every grade level and inspiring deeper learning experiences, the Iowa Core will ensure more students are prepared for higher education, careers and lives free of the criminal justice system.

That's important because, nationwide, almost seven in 10 inmates in state prisons failed to graduate from high school. "Doing Well Prevents Doing Time" also spotlights research showing long-term changes in wages and employment opportunities among non-college educated men may explain as much as half of property and violent crime rates.

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Are Cultural Misinterpretations A Root Cause For
Disproportionate Discipline Of African-American Students?

Numerous studies have revealed that African-American students are more likely than their white peers to face referrals to the office, suspension, expulsion or other forms of discipline at school.

But it doesn't have to be that way, says Renae Azziz, founder and director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com), which provides professional development training to teachers and school district leaders.

Azziz, a school psychologist who helps districts across the nation resolve disproportionality in discipline, says in many cases it's a clash of cultures, and not necessarily racism, that leads to disproportionate punishment for minority students.

"Teachers need to understand that sometimes what they see as misbehavior is not viewed the same way by African-American students," Azziz says. "It's just that in these cases the educators come from different cultures than their students. The teachers need to increase their knowledge about those differences and improve their skills for handling the situations."

Azziz says there are a number of promising strategies schools can and are using to reduce disproportionality in discipline.

• Develop supportive relationships among and within school staff and students through the implementation of restorative-justice frameworks, which use conflict resolution and open dialogue. Restorative justice focuses students on the ramifications of their actions so that they take ownership of those actions and learn from their poor decisions.

• Engage in culturally relevant and responsive instructions and interactions to make the curriculum engaging for all learners.

• Change disciplinary codes of conduct to align with positive school climates through the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) that are culturally responsive.

• Commit to ongoing professional development for teachers focused on developing their awareness, knowledge and skills related to culture.

African-American students often have more negative views of their schools than white students because they perceive them as being less fair and consistent with discipline. That this perception exists, Azziz says, reinforces the idea that educators need to be culturally responsive so that the school environment meets the needs of students from all cultural backgrounds.

It's not that schools have failed to make an effort to address problems with discipline. For two decades, the method known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been implemented across the nation as a way to decrease suspensions and expulsions, Azziz says.

That worked - sort of, she says.

Data indicates PBIS does indeed reduce the overall rates for those disciplinary actions, but there's a caveat.  Minority students, especially African Americans, still receive the majority of the punishments.

"That tells me that PBIS is not as effective for African-American students as it is for other ethnic groups," Azziz says. "So why is that?"
The answer may lie in those cultural differences, she says.

Here's an example: Teachers who expect students to raise their hands before responding in class often send African-American students to the office for repeatedly talking out.

But many of those students see classroom discussions as more informal, Azziz says.

"Some students, particularly African-American students, show that they are listening and engaged by blurting out their thoughts instead of raising their hands," Azziz says. "This is a communication-response style called back-channeling and it's often seen in the African-American culture."

Teachers who understand that back-channeling is a cultural pattern of behavior can better teach the students when that behavior is appropriate in the classroom and when they need to raise their hands, she says.

"When teachers don't know about this communications style," Azziz says, "all they see is a student who disrupted their class and it becomes a top reason for discipline referrals."

About Renae Azziz

Renae Azziz is the Founder and Director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com). She and her team of consultants support educators nationally in the areas of Response-to-Intervention, Data-Based Decision Making, Assessment, Positive Behavior Support, and Culturally Responsive Practices. Before starting Virtuoso Education Consulting, Renae practiced as a school psychologist in Indiana. Renae also worked on grants funded by the Indiana Department of Education supporting Indiana's Initiatives on Response to Intervention, Culturally Responsive PBIS, and Minority Disproportionality in Special Education. She was also appointed by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services, which resulted in several legislative outcomes. Further, Renae and her team of consultants have served as project evaluators for statewide initiatives and Corrective Action Plans in Indiana and Louisiana.

Renae received her educational training at Indiana University earning an Ed.S. in School Psychology, an M.S. in Educational Psychology, and a B.A. with honors in Psychology and is working towards completion of her Doctorate in Education at The Johns Hopkins University specializing in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced Carroll, Clay, Hancock, Humboldt and Webster counties have met the criteria to become designated as Home Base Iowa Communities. They also announced today additional Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs) designations for Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College.

Carroll, Clay, Hancock, Humboldt and Webster Counties join the eight existing communities - Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County, Dubuque County, Mitchell County, Union County and the City of Marion  - in becoming certified Home Base Iowa Communities. To become a Home Base Iowa Community, an area must meet the following criteria: 10% of its businesses with potential to hire sign on as Home Base Iowa Businesses; local government supports the effort; signage indicates the community is a Home Base Iowa Community and the community creates local incentives that offer additional benefits for Veterans and that complement those in the statewide Home Base Iowa Act.

"With 1,000 Veterans hired through the Home Base Iowa efforts thus far, this program is certainly successful," said Branstad. "As these communities have demonstrated, Iowans are embracing the Home Base Iowa initiative to create communities that are welcoming and attractive to veterans and to provide transitioning military members with every opportunity for success."

Three additional educational institutions Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College?join  the existing HBI CHAMPs?Upper Iowa University, Des Moines Area Community College, Mount Mercy University, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College and University of Dubuque . The Home Base Iowa CHAMP program allows Iowa colleges and universities to become certified for their ability to educate and assist Veterans on campus. The certification will help attract Veterans and transitioning Service Members to Iowa. It also helps academic  institutions market their campus as Veteran-friendly. To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP, education institutions must meet criteria in each of the three categories: On-Campus Veteran Resources, Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions and Financial Considerations.

"I am pleased, but certainly not surprised, to see the continued support Home Base Iowa is receiving across the state," said Reynolds. "Today's announcement of additional Home Base Iowa Communities and Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partners ensures Service Members transitioning to civilian life have welcoming communities, educational resources, jobs and opportunities for continued service?all here in Iowa."

MORE INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITIES 

In Humboldt County 34% of businesses with potential to hire signed on as Home Base Iowa employers.  Humboldt County's incentive package for qualifying Veterans includes hotel and meal vouchers and a welcome package from the host community. The first five qualifying Veterans will also receive a cash bonus of $200. Additional, the first five veterans will also receive $200.00 in down payment assistance if they elect to use a local Realtor.  In addition to the county-wide incentives, the City of Humboldt offers rental assistance for up to $1,000, up to $3,500 down payment assistance, tax abatement for the first $75,000 is assessed value on new construction in one of four subdivisions, $60 in "Recreation Bucks" and guided community tours.  Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to the Humboldt County Development Association.

 

Hancock County Approximately 25% of employers with potential to hire in Hancock County have become Home Base Iowa Businesses. Hancock County welcomes Veterans to consider available opportunities with special incentives to qualifying military Veteran applicants: up to $1,000 for moving/relocation expenses; up to $500 travel allowance for job and house hunting  expenses, and sponsors and mentors for families and students?all in addition to the statewide incentives offered through the Home Base Iowa Act. Questions on the local package should be addressed to the Hancock County Economic Development.

Clay County's robust Home Base Iowa effort, working with 109 employers to become Home Base Iowa Businesses and pledging their commitment to hire Veterans, is already paying off.  In just the past few weeks, several transitioning Service Members contacted Clay County about opportunities in the area. Clay County's incentive package for qualifying Veterans includes the following: rental assistance for up to $1000, three months of free utility service, discounted closing costs for home loans, streamlined housing and job searches and discounts and gift cards for restaurants, accommodations and retailers. Questions on the local incentive package should be directed to the Iowa Lakes Corridor.

Carroll County's Home Base Iowa effort was led by volunteer board members and staff of the Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC).  Through the efforts, forty seven businesses have committed to hiring Veterans through 2018. Carroll County considers the program a win-win for area employers and those seeking employment and offers the following incentives including a streamlined application process to Carroll County employers; complimentary one-year membership to either Carroll Recreation Center, Carroll Aquatic Center or Carroll Municipal Golf Course; complimentary one-year membership to Carroll Young Professionals and Hy-Vee gift card. In addition, those moving to the City of Manning would also receive income-qualified down payment assistance, tax abatement for new construction housing or rental assistance, complimentary family membership to Recreation Center and indoor pool and much more. Contact the Carroll Area Development Corporation for questions on local incentives.

Webster County incentives include assistance with lodging and meals, veteran-guided tours  and a welcome basket.  Iowa Central Community College and Buena Vista University also offer considerable additional incentives for students attending those institutions. In addition, the City of Fort Dodge is adding a 5-year, 100% tax abatement on the first $75,000 on a new home or improvements and "recreation bucks" at City of Fort Dodge Parks and Recreation facilities (golf course/water park).

Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance should be contacted for additional information on local incentives.

BACKGROUND ON THE HOME BASE IOWA ACT 

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

• Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
• Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
• Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
• Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
• Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
• Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Additional funding for the 

program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.

Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.

For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.org. Those interested in becoming Home Base Iowa Communities or Home Base Iowa CHAMPS should contact Kathy Anderson, Home Base Iowa Program Manager at 515.725.3149 or kathy.anderson@iowa.gov.

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