(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released an education reform package that will bring Iowa closer to its goal of providing a world-class education to all children, no matter where they live.

 

The package presented for the 2013 legislative session focuses on providing great teaching in every classroom to raise student achievement and to prepare Iowa's children to compete for jobs in a competitive global economy.

 

"We have many good schools with committed educators, but they are stuck in a system designed for the 20th century, not the 21st century," Branstad said. "I am ready to invest significant resources into these educational reforms, which truly have the power to dramatically raise achievement."

 

Branstad added: "I do not believe we should spend even one minute discussing additional resources to prop up our current educational structure until we have first agreed on the reforms our children need."

 

The investment proposed by Branstad and Reynolds scales up over five years, starting with $14 million in the first year, $72 million in the second year, and $187 million at full implementation in five years.

 

Other states and nations have made dramatic, whole-system changes that have pushed their education systems past Iowa's. Iowa, meanwhile, has slipped from being a top performer to middle of the pack on national tests.

 

"Iowa's children deserve the best education we can provide so they leave our schools with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful and rewarding lives," said Iowa Education Director Jason Glass. "We stand at a pivotal moment in Iowa's storied education history, in which we have the opportunity and will as a community to make the transition from being 'good' to being 'great.'"

 

World-class schools are one of four top priorities set by Branstad and Reynolds, along with 200,000 new jobs, a 25 percent increase in family incomes and to reduce the cost of government by 15 percent.

 

The centerpiece of their 2013 education reform package is establishing a new teacher leadership and compensation system. This proposal is based on recommendations from the Task Force on Teacher Leadership and Compensation, which thanks to the Legislature's action, was established as a diverse group of Iowans who spent seven months studying this issue.

 

The teacher leadership and compensation system raises the status of the teaching profession and attracts and retains talented educators through these approaches:

 

 

 

  • Raise Iowa's minimum starting salary from $28,000 to $35,000 to make teaching more attractive.

 

  • Keep top teachers in front of children, but pay these teacher leaders more to take on more instructional leadership responsibility alongside school administrators, which will strengthen the teaching throughout the building.  Teachers who are selected for model, mentor and lead roles will be paid more for sharing their expertise and for working additional days to coach, co-teach and to foster collaboration among all educators.

 

  • Give brand-new teachers a reduced teaching load in their first year so they can spend more time learning from outstanding veteran teachers.

 

The teacher leadership and compensation system, which will be phased in over several years, gives school districts the flexibility to customize leadership roles to meet their local needs. It builds on landmark, bipartisan legislation in 2001 that created, but never funded, a teacher career ladder.

 

"This is about strengthening the teaching profession for the benefit of both students and teachers," Reynolds said. "Teachers are the single most important influence on a child's success inside school, and educators are being asked to do much more to prepare students for our knowledge-driven economy. We must make sure new teachers are ready to rise to that challenge, while also providing more support for teachers already in the classroom."

 

The education reform package introduced today by Branstad and Reynolds also includes four other components:

 

  • Teach Iowa Initiative: Expands an existing program to provide both relief and incentive through tuition reimbursement to top students who commit to teach in Iowa schools for five years, with a focus on hard-to-hire subjects such as math and science. Teach Iowa scholars will receive an extra $4,000 for each year of service, for a total of $20,000. This initiative also includes a new pilot program to strengthen clinical experience with a full year of student teaching in the senior year of college, rather than the typical one semester.

 

  • College- and Career-Ready Seals: Use diploma seals to identify and recognize graduating high school students who demonstrate that they are college- and career-ready. A blue-ribbon commission of business and education leaders would set high standards for the seals to better define what it means to be college or career-ready. The seals are in addition to a high school diploma. The purpose is to help students better prepare for the future and to align education with workforce development in a thoughtful way.

 

  • Improving educator evaluations: Iowa needs to update existing teacher and administrator evaluations to provide more valuable feedback. This will include deciding how student achievement growth should count. This work should help the state win a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

 

 

  • Expand the Iowa Learning Online program: This proposal expands an existing program at the Iowa Department of Education to allow more high school students the opportunity to take high-quality online courses taught by Iowa teachers. Small districts that often struggle to find applicants for hard-to-hire subjects also will find this helpful. This will require an initial state investment, but would be self-sustaining in three years.

 

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WASHINGTON - After attending the swearing-in ceremony of the Iowa legislature this morning in Des Moines, Senator Chuck Grassley will meet this week with Iowans in nine Northeast Iowa communities, including Parkersburg, New Hampton, Delhi, Dubuque, Maquoketa, DeWitt, Davenport, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids.

 

"I look forward to these events and meetings to listen to comments, respond to questions, and keep in touch," Grassley said.  "Representative government is a two-way street, and it's strengthened by dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent."

 

During a Friday meeting with employees at Kent Corporation in Muscatine, Grassley will be presented the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence by Gage Kent, Chairman and CEO of Kent Corporation.  Kent serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers, which is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states.

 

Grassley has held at least one meeting with Iowans in every one of the state's 99 counties since 1980, when he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

 

The Senate is not meeting in Washington until Inauguration Day on January 21.

 

Immediately below is more information about the meeting schedule.

 

Tuesday, January 15

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Q&A with students

Aplington-Parkersburg High School

610 North Johnson Street in Parkersburg

 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Chickasaw County Town Meeting

New Hampton Public Library

20 West Spring Street in New Hampton

*Grassley will be available until 4:45 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

Thursday, January 17

8:45-9:45 a.m.

Q&A with government students

Maquoketa Valley High School

107 South Street in Delhi

 

11 a.m.-12 noon

Q&A with students

Loras College Alumni Campus Center in the Mary Alexis Room

at the corner of Loras Boulevard and Loras Parkway in Dubuque

*Grassley will be available until 12:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

IBM

700 Locust Street in Dubuque

 

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Q&A with senior-level students

Maquoketa High School

600 Washington Street in Maquoketa

*Grassley will be available until 3:30 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

4-5 p.m.

Q&A with employees

Wendling Quarries

2647 225th Street in DeWitt

*Grassley will be available until 5:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

Friday, January 18

8-9 a.m.

Q&A with students

Davenport West High School

3505 West Locust Street in Davenport

*Grassley will be available until 9:15 a.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

10:30a.m.-12 noon

Q&A with employees of Kent Corporation

In addition, Grassley will be presented the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence by Gage Kent, Chairman and CEO of Kent Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.

1600 Oregon Street in Muscatine

*Grassley will be available until 12:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

1:30-2:45 p.m.

Cedar Rapids Naturalization Ceremony

111 Seventh Avenue Southeast in Cedar Rapids

*Grassley will be available until 3 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

 

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January 17th. 2013

Independent Scholars' Evenings:  

" Rape as a  means of Political Power Play:"

Session 1:

The evening will develop around the presentation: I
" The Two Major Underlying  Causes For the abuse of women in India which need to be changed. "  
Essay
By
Narveen Aryaputri. M.A. English Lit.; B.Ed.

Sub-title: The underlying causes for the frequency of rape: subjugation of women through the use of violence.

Rape has been used in extended history to subjugate people, both men and women.
What does this show of us, as civilized societies, when some scriptural texts clearly specify the humiliation of women? Rape, then, is not far behind

The question of subliminal influences of scriptural texts will be discussed.

The specific couplet demeaning women from the Bhagavad Gita, the philosophical scriptural text of India,  will be quoted and highlighted. Does the Gita need to be " 21st. C updated " with an American version eliminating the offensive couplet? Other examples from the scriptural texts of India will be quoted and highlighted in the essay.

The discussion of the status of women in India is the current focus of the evolution in thought and behavior that we have been highlighting at the Institute for quite some time now.  Ongoing focus continues as light challenges darkness on all fronts.  We at the Institute believe we are in a ' paradigm shift' as Thomas Kuhn would say.
This is an awakening and a strengthening and new beginnings occur.  

About the author:
Narveen has her M.A. In English Literature with a minor in 20th. c American Literature and her Bachelors in Eduction.
She is an essayist.

Narveen is the President of The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. which sponsors:
The Independent Scholars' Evenings and Integrative Wholistic Healing.
Phoenix Art Gallery
Moline Commercial Club.

7.00 p.m.

doors open at 6.30

Please note: the sessions will continue with a variety of presentations and authors over the course of the year ahead.

light snacks and beverages are served.

1530 Fifth Avenue.
Moline. IL 61265

309-762-9202
www.qcinstitute.org

The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd is a 501(c)3 organization at state and federal level since 1996.

The event is free and open to the public.

By Jason Alderman

Anyone who's put a loved one to rest knows that death is not cheap. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average adult funeral cost $6,560 in 2009 (their most current data). That doesn't include such common add-ons as a cemetery plot, headstone, flowers, obituaries and limousine, which can add thousands to the bill.

Because death is a frequently avoided topic, many people aren't armed with information about the many variables - and costs - involved in planning a funeral. Thus, just when survivors are grieving and most vulnerable, they're bombarded by decisions that must be made quickly, often without even knowing what their loved one would have wanted.

The key message for the living is to decide on preferred funeral arrangements ahead of time and to convey those wishes to your family - ideally in your will.

Another important lesson: Know your legal rights and what funeral-related goods and services cost so you - or your survivors - don't feel pressured into buying things you don't want or need. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees "The Funeral Rule," which regulates how funeral providers must deal with consumers. Among its provisions:

  • Upon request, funeral homes must provide an itemized price list of all their goods and services, whether you call (even anonymously) or visit in person.
  • You have the right to choose among their offerings (with certain state-mandated exceptions) and are not required to purchase package deals containing unwanted items.
  • Prior to purchasing a casket or outer burial container from a funeral home, they must share descriptions and prices before showing you stock on hand.
  • Providers that offer cremations must make alternative containers (besides caskets) available.
  • Note: The Funeral Rule does not apply to third-party sellers such as casket and monument dealers, or to cemeteries that lack an on-site funeral home.

If your beliefs don't require following specific funeral protocols, here are a few ways to reduce costs while still honoring the deceased and their survivors:

  • Veterans, immediate family members, members of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and certain civilians who've provided military-related service may be entitled to burial at a national cemetery with a grave marker. Burial is free, but families are responsible for funeral home expenses and transportation to the cemetery.
  • A $255 lump-sum death benefit is available to surviving spouses or minor children of eligible workers who paid into Social Security.
  • For many, cremation is a viable, less expensive option to burial. If you plan to hold a viewing first before the cremation, ask whether you can rent an attractive casket for the ceremony.
  • Some families prefer not to hold a public viewing. For them, "direct cremation" or "immediate burial" may make sense. Because the body is promptly cremated or interred, embalming and cosmetology services are not necessary, which saves hundreds of dollars. Also, with direct cremation you can opt for an unfinished wood coffin or heavy cardboard enclosure for the journey to the crematorium.
  • You can purchase a casket or cremation urn from a source other than your funeral home. The funeral home cannot assess handling fees or require you to be there to take delivery.

The death of a loved one is always upsetting, but you may be able to ease your family's emotional and financial burdens by planning ahead.

Movie Will Bring 1,000 Jobs and More than $30 million in Local Spending; Marks First Feature Film for Chicago's Newest Soundstage Cinespace

CHICAGO - January 14, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment's Divergent, the filmed adaptation of the novel by Chicagoan Veronica Roth, will begin filming in Illinois this April. The movie production is expected to bring 1,000 jobs and more than $30 million in spending to Illinois. It is the first major Hollywood film for Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, the soundstage Governor Pat Quinn worked to attract to Illinois.

"Illinois is an ideal place for filmmakers with our skilled workforce, iconic shooting locations and one of the largest soundstages in the country," Governor Quinn said. "The film industry is creating good jobs for Illinois electricians, welders, construction workers, actors, make-up artists, security guards and more while also fueling growth in our economy."

Directed by Neil Burger and starring Shailene Woodley, Divergent is a thrilling adventure set in a future world where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities. Tris Prior (Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late. Red Wagon Entertainment's Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing. The film will be released theatrically in North America on Friday, March 21, 2014.

Cinespace, which opened in May 2011, was constructed with $5 million from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program and tens of millions of dollars in private investment from Toronto-based studio owner Nick Mirkopoulos. The studio is currently home to TV series Chicago Fire, and hosted TV series Boss and Underemployed in 2012. When fully built out at 1.5 million feet, Cinespace is expected to rank as the largest soundstage outside of Hollywood in the U.S.

"Governor Quinn shared our vision of building a world- class soundstage to support the growth of the film industry in Illinois and help create thousands of jobs for Illinois workers," said Cinespace owner Nick Mirkopoulos. "Cinespace is committed to providing Lionsgate the best facilities and service available, and we are excited that this high-profile film is being made here in Chicago."

"When Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment was considering where to make their movie, we worked hard to showcase all the attractive features of filmmaking in Illinois," said Betsy Steinberg, deputy director of the Illinois Film Office. "We are gratified that they have recognized the great reasons to bring this project to Illinois."

The Illinois Film Office (IFO) actively pursues film projects by promoting Illinois as an ideal location to film. Illinois offers a 30 percent tax credit to filmmakers for money spent on Illinois goods and services, including wages paid to Illinois residents. Illinois' film tax credit has been instrumental in spurring growth of Illinois' film industry. Since its inception in 2004, the Film Tax Credit has helped generate more than $1 billion in revenue for the state and created more than 10,000 jobs.

 

###

A Rock Island Elementary School will begin offering afterschool programs beginning today (Monday) thanks to a new federal grant

(Rock Island, IL)  Earl Hanson has been given a $138,000 annual federal grant to provide educational and enrichment activities for struggling students after school.  The school will receive $138,000 each year for five years.

Earl Hanson joins the long list of Lights ON for Learning Community Learning Centers (CLCs) that have received grants over the past eleven years and will now be hanging a bright yellow Lights ON banner in their entrance.    The RIROE is the fiscal agent and project manager.  This is the eleventh 21st CCLC grant the Rock Island School District has received over the years for seven different RI schools.  Judy Hipskind will be the Lights ON Site Coordinator for Earl Hanson.  Hipskind, an experienced 21st CCLC grant coordinator, has worked with the former Lincoln School program and is currently with the RI Academy.  Programming begins January 14th.

The money is part of a $14 million dollar 21st Century Community Learning Center grant the Illinois State Board of Education recently announced.  These programs are expected to serve more than 13,600 students from 110 Illinois schools state-wide.
.
The 21st CCLC grant program provides academic interventions to help students meet Illinois state standards. The program also offers a variety of enrichment opportunities for students and their families, including life skills, art, music, recreation, technology classes, and character education.

"After-school programs keep students active and engaged in learning outside school hours," said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch said in a news release. "But those positive afterschool experiences ? new opportunities or time with mentors ? often inspire new and continued motivation in the classroom."

Illinois receives funds for the program based on a formula from the U.S. Department of Education. A total of $14 million was available for Fiscal Year 2013 awards through a competitive grant process. The agency received 104 proposals, totaling more than $33 million from 29 school districts, 50 community- and faith-based organizations, two universities and six regional offices of education. Thirty-seven 21st CCLC grants on behalf of 110 schools were awarded while 67 proposals were not recommended for funding. The 2013 grantees can be renewed for four years but subsequent fiscal years depend upon a sufficient appropriation for the program and satisfactory progress in the previous grant period.
Hero of COP Keating Battle to Receive MoH
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted: Friday Jan 11, 2013

Romesha was a section leader in B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during the Oct. 3, 2009, attack on Combat Outpost Keating in eastern Afghanistan.

Eight American soldiers were killed and two dozen others wounded in the battle as the troop-sized element fought against an overwhelming enemy force that launched a brazen attack to overrun the COP.

The attack on COP Keating remains one of the deadliest attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan and is chronicled in the book "The Outpost" by Jake Tapper.

[DUBUQUE, IA] Dubuque's newest art space, eronel ART + MUSIC VENUE, will host an opening reception for artist Michael Garside's solo exhibition on Friday, February 2 from 7-10 p.m. in the lower level of the Cooper Wagon Works building, 285 Main Street in downtown Dubuque. The exhibit features abstract acrylic works and explorations in color and circular cellular construction. "I'm attracted to circles, they represent the universal, like the circle of life. When you break things down to their most basic form they become cells," Garside says about his work. "There is a perceived randomness about circles, there are no right angles, circles suggest a certain chaos and fragility, yet, they purposefully fit together."

Garside is a Dubuque native who has lived in New York City and in the Pacific Northwest. His recent exhibitions include the Pepper Sprout restaurant and Carnegie Stout's Art @ Your Library series. His upcoming exhibit boasts exceptional color. "I was diagnosed with color blindness as a small child so painting for me is about experimenting with color and contrast and feeling free to explore that," Garside says "A lot of times painting is just about experimenting and enjoying the end result."

eronel ART + MUSIC VENUE brings a new artful presence to downtown Dubuque's Historic Old Main Street District by hosting music, performance art, and offering a new home for exhibiting artists in Dubuque's cultural district. The new venue opens on February 1 with a musical performance by Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts.

Michael Garside's paintings will be on exhibition through March 2, 2013 with evening gallery hours Wednesday through Saturday, 7p.m. - 11 pm and by appointment. Learn more about Garside's work by visiting theartfeed.com.

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WACO, Texas -- Baylor University conferred degrees on almost 800 graduates including Nicole Leeann Cantrill of Bettendorf, who received her Bachelor of Science in Education - Health Science Studies degree during fall commencement exercises Dec. 15 in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor campus. Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked liberal arts institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with "high research activity."
Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor offers 144 undergraduate, 77 master, 32 doctoral degree programs, and two education specialist programs plus the juris doctor degree, through its 11 academic units. Baylor's 735-acre campus in Waco is home to more than 15,000 students from all 50 states and 80 countries.

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