17 Dec 2015

Last Chance to Complete 529 Tutorial and Win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa Account!

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (12/17/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to complete the College Savings Iowa InFocus tutorial and be registered to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account. "I encourage everyone to complete the 529 tutorial before December 31," Fitzgerald said. "This interactive learning experience explains the benefits of saving for a loved one's higher education, while also registering families for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account!" Visit Iowa529InFocus.com to complete the tutorial and see official rules.

Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their lives. "The first 500 people who complete the tutorial and open a College Savings Iowa account will receive an additional $10 contribution to their account," Fitzgerald added. "This is a great way to begin and potentially boost your child's college savings!" The newly established accounts must have a minimum $25 contribution and be opened within the first seven days of tutorial completion to be eligible for the $10 contribution.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,163 per beneficiary account from their 2015 Iowa adjusted gross income.*

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

**Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

15 Dec 2015

Marcus Gillmor graduates from Coastal Carolina University

By Mona Prufer

CONWAY 28528, SC (12/14/2015)-- Marcus Gillmor, of Bettendorf, IA, was one of 592 candidates for graduation at Coastal Carolina University at ceremonies on Dec. 11 and 12 at the HTC Center. South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman was the speaker and received an honorary degree, Doctor of Public Service. She advised the Class of 2015 not to forget their roots as they go forward in their lives and careers.

"Your journey in life may never take you back there to live again," said Spearman, "but you need to do what you can to support and uplift the people who have made you what you are today. Don't forget them. So whether you become a teacher, a scientist, a CEO of a company, a health care professional -- in later years when you are reminiscing, the relationships you had with the people along the way will be what matters the most."

Gillmor graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in management

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 70 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree, and 17 master's degree programs, plus two educational specialist degrees. The University began offering its first doctoral program - the Ph.D. in marine science: coastal and marine systems science - in Fall 2014. View the full list of Academic Programs.

More than 10,000 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

Learn more: http://www.coastal.edu/

15 Dec 2015

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE HOLDS COMMENCMENT CEREMONY IN DECEMBER

By Sandra Humes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (December 14, 2015) - The following individuals from your area are among the more than 1,900 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 20, 2015 in Milwaukee. Among those receiving their degrees are:

Rhiannon M Seneli of Davenport, from the College of Health Sciences, receiving Doctor of Philosophy

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

- 30 -

14 Dec 2015

Smiddy-Backed Measure Expanding Opportunities for High School Degree Passes House

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To help give students every opportunity to receive a high school diploma, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, voted to pass legislation extending eligibility for completing high school from 21 to 23.
"In today's economy, it's very difficult to be competitive without at least a high school diploma," Smiddy said. "Without a completing school, young adult have reduced earning power and few options for their future, and we should let students who are committed to completing high school the chance to do so."
Currently, students who drop out of school can return to finish until they turn 21. Smiddy supported House Bill 3687, which increases this age to 23, allowing student additional time to overcome the developmental, environmental and social obstacles they face to complete their studies. Returning students over the age of 21 would not be able to go back to regular classrooms with traditional-aged high school students. Instead, they can utilize Truant Alternative and Optional Education Programs and the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education program to achieve a diploma instead of a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, as current law provides.
"Many intelligent, hard-working young adults still carry the stigma of not having a diploma when searching for a job," Smiddy said. "This measure will help young adults who want to improve themselves an opportunity to access the tools they need to finish school."
House Bill 3687 received bipartisan support to pass the Illinois House and now awaits a vote in the Senate.
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11 Dec 2015

Q&A: New K-12 Education Law With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

By Grassley Press

Q: What is the Every Student Succeeds Act?

 

A: In the first rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) since 2001, the Republican-led Congress restored a much greater degree of local control and decision-making authority to parents, teachers and local school board members in December with bipartisan passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. It replaces the troubled No Child Left Behind Act. President Bush's proposal for that law called for greater local control over teaching in return for more accountability in terms of student achievement outcomes, but the degree of local freedom many had hoped for didn't materialize. What we did get was a detailed one-size-fits-all assessment and accountability system that prescribed interventions for schools not making progress toward all students being proficient in reading and math by 2014. That date has now passed so schools across Iowa face increasingly onerous top-down interventions. Since the No Child Left Behind Act was supposed to last only until 2007, there should have been plenty of time to adjust the goal, but until now, Congress has not been able to come up with a replacement.

The Every Student Succeeds Act was a bipartisan compromise, which was necessary to pass the Senate. It does not go as far as I would like in reducing federal involvement in local schools, but it is a big improvement over the status quo. Schools serve as the lifeblood of neighborhoods across the country. It makes sense that parents, taxpayers, elected school board members and educators living and working in these neighborhoods are best able to identify problems, solve challenges and remove learning barriers in the classrooms where students are attending the schools in their communities.  I believe that our local schools can do more when the Washington bureaucracy does less and this new law will allow key decisions to be made closer to the parents and students they affect.

Q: What provisions did you secure in the new education law?

 

A:  As founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I work to give a voice to foster kids at the policymaking tables in Washington. Too many foster youth face a lifetime of uncertainty and interminable transition. Many times, schools are their only lifeline to stability and haven for a sense of belonging. That's why I worked to strengthen connections between child welfare agencies and state and local education institutions so that foster youth aren't allowed to fall behind or face an endless cycle of being shuffled from one school to the next.  Also included were key parts of a bill I introduced to fix federal incentives that were preventing gifted and talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds reaching their fullest potential. Beyond that, I worked on provisions to ensure states are free from federal coercion in setting content standards and I ensured that a civic education grant program the bill's authors included kept a focus on teaching the history and principles of the Constitution. These founding principles have guided America's prosperity for more than 200 years. It makes sense that younger generations develop a keen understanding and appreciation for the bedrock values of liberty, freedom and justice.
11 Dec 2015

Iowa Department of Education announces 97 school districts added to Iowa's teacher leadership system

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced the next group of school districts chosen to launch local teacher leadership plans through Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System.  Ninety-seven school districts have been added to the state system, bringing the total number of districts in the teacher leadership system to 295 (88 percent of Iowa districts).

"This system is about supporting teachers to do their best work so that our students can do their best work," Wise said. "Students and schools today face higher expectations, and we must support the critical and complex work of teaching in order to improve instruction. We're doing that through Iowa's teacher leadership system, and it's exciting that so many school districts share this commitment."

Iowa's teacher leadership system, which taps into the expertise of top teachers to improve classroom instruction and raise student achievement, is the centerpiece of Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds' landmark education reform package passed by the Legislature in 2013. It is the nation's most comprehensive teacher leadership system. About 25 percent of Iowa teachers will be in leadership roles when the system is fully phased in.

As of this fall, all 336 Iowa school districts had applied to join the teacher leadership system. The 97 newly accepted districts will implement their teacher leadership plans in the 2016-17 school year. The remaining 40 school districts will have an opportunity to refine and re-submit their plans for approval in the next two months. Wise said he is hopeful that all of Iowa's school districts will join the teacher leadership system by the 2016-17 school year.

School districts in the teacher leadership system are at varying stages. Some are in their second year, while others are gearing up for participation.

A recent report on the first year of Iowa's teacher leadership system found progress has been made toward each of the system's five goals, including attracting new teachers, retaining effective teachers, promoting collaboration, rewarding professional growth and effective teaching, and improving student achievement. In addition, students in the first 39 participating school districts saw a jump in proficiency rates on state math and reading tests.

School districts are chosen for the system based on recommendations of the Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation, which evaluates applications.

The teacher leadership system cost nearly $50 million in fiscal year 2015. That amount is expected to grow to about $150 million annually by fiscal year 2017, which would enable all districts to participate.

The 97 newly accepted districts are:

AGWSR

Albert City-Truesdale

Algona

Anamosa

Ar-We-Va

Ballard

Bedford

Boyden-Hull

Boyer Valley

Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom

Central Lee

Central Springs

Charles City

Cherokee

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows

Clarksville

Clear Lake

Colfax-Mingo

Coon Rapids-Bayard

Corning

Denison

Easton Valley

Eddyville-Blakesburg- Fremont

Eldora-New Providence

Estherville Lincoln Central

Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton

Forest City

Fort Madison

Garner-Hayfield

Gladbrook-Reinbeck

Glidden-Ralston

Graettinger-Terril

Griswold

Grundy Center

Harris-Lake Park

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn

Howard-Winneshiek

IKM-Manning

Interstate 35

Jesup

Lamoni

Laurens-Marathon

Logan-Magnolia

Louisa-Muscatine

LuVerne

Lynnville-Sully

Madrid

Martensdale-St Marys

Mediapolis

Missouri Valley

Montezuma

Morning Sun

Moulton-Udell

Mount Ayr

Nashua-Plainfield

Newell-Fonda

Newton

North Butler

North Iowa

North Tama County

North Union

North Winneshiek

Osage

Paton-Churdan

PCM

Perry

Pocahontas Area

Postville

Prairie Valley

River Valley

Riverside

Ruthven-Ayrshire

Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Shenandoah

Sibley-Ocheyedan

Sidney

Sigourney

Sioux Center

South Central Calhoun

South Hamilton

South O'Brien

South Page

South Tama County

Southeast Webster Grand

Spirit Lake

Storm Lake

Treynor

Tri-Center

Twin Cedars

Villisca

Walnut

West Bend-Mallard

West Burlington

West Fork

West Harrison

Woodbine

Woodward-Granger

 

 

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09 Dec 2015

Stefanini Hosts Facility Tour for Local High School Students

By Carla Ferber

Students from Moline High School received an inside look at Stefanini's Davenport facility and learned about how Stefanini helps its customers achieve its business goals

Davenport, IA December, 2015  - Stefanini ? recognized by IAOP as a Global Top Outsourcing Company, and a $1B global provider of IT outsourcing, applications management & consulting, and strategic staffing services, hosted a tour of its Davenport facility for 14 students from Moline High School. Students from Moline High school, one of the top schools in the region, toured Stefanini's facility in Davenport, IA on December 1st to see a "real" service desk in action, learn about a mature IT service organization, and gain insight into a career in IT.

During the outing, Stefanini representatives from each program provided an overview of their day-to-day regimen and educated students on the various career opportunities in the IT field. "Along with serving as an inside look at a mature IT service organization, the tour touched upon what skills recruiters look for when hiring IT resources and informed students of key topics regarding the IT industry such as the difference between insourcing vs. outsourcing," said Sean Nelson, Global Program Executive of Stefanini's Davenport facility.

The Moline High School students provide help desk services for their school as part of their Student Technology Integration class. On the Moline High School Help Desk website, students and teachers are given the option to open a ticket to request assistance for issues relating to hardware repair, WiFi, and log-in information. To obtain a position as a part of Moline's help desk staff, students must first go through an interview process and are expected to be knowledgeable in various operating systems.

The tour was an excellent opportunity for Stefanini to engage with the neighboring community of Moline and recruit qualified candidates from the area once they have graduated from school.

About Stefanini

Stefanini is a global IT outsourcing services company with locations in 35 countries across the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Since 1987, Stefanini has been providing onshore, nearshore and offshore IT services, including application development services, IT infrastructure outsourcing (help desk support and desktop services), systems integration, consulting, and strategic staffing to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Clients benefit from Stefanini's financial stability, sustained year-over-year growth, and zero net debt. The corporate global headquarters is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil with European headquarters in Brussels and North American headquarters in metropolitan Detroit. Further information is available at the company's website, www.stefanini.com.
09 Dec 2015

Students earn Promise Scholarship for Iowans from Cornell College

By Jamie Kelly

MOUNT VERNON, IA (12/08/2015)-- The following area students have been admitted to Cornell College for the Fall 2016 semester and earned the Promise Scholarship for Iowans.

Claire Campbell of De Witt (52742)

Josh Janes of Davenport (52803)

Amber Jerson of Bettendorf (52722)

Cornell College offers qualified Iowa high school students entering Cornell in Fall 2016 the Promise Scholarship for Iowans, worth at least $20,000 per student. The scholarship is renewable for four years, bringing the total value to at least $80,000.

In addition to the grant, Iowa students may qualify for up to $5,000 annually from the state's Iowa Tuition Grant to attend an Iowa private college. Cornell College is using the scholarship to support homegrown talent in the state of Iowa. Cornell's student body currently represents 45 states and 18 foreign countries, with 17 percent from Iowa.

Cornell is nationally recognized for its value, including by Kiplinger's, which included Cornell on its list of the 100 best values in private colleges for 2015, and the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which named Cornell College one of the 24 "Best Buys" among private colleges. Cornell is also one the "Colleges that Change Lives," a select group of schools recognized for their academic quality and the exceptional opportunities they offer.

For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

08 Dec 2015

Rivermont Senior Named a 2016-17 Illinois State Scholar

By Jill Weitzel

Rivermont Collegiate is proud to announce that Senior Thomas Rodgers has been named a 2016-17 Illinois State Scholar based on a combination of his six semester grade point average, standardized test scores, and state of residence. Congratulations Tom!

Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for Preschool through 12th Grade. Visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.

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06 Dec 2015

Loebsack Backed Legislation to Improve K-12 Education Passes House

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation replaces the outdated No Child Left Behind and ensures children across the country have access to a quality education and important resources and opportunities that will prepare them for college and career. The bill was passed by a bipartisan vote of 359-64 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

"As someone who grew up in poverty, I know firsthand how important education is for kids to get ahead in life. With the passage of this legislation, our nation's schools finally have the meaningful reform that students and teachers have long needed. The Every Student Succeeds Act ensures that all students graduate from high school with college and career-ready skills by investing in our children's education and our country's future economic growth. I am proud that many of my priorities have been included in this bipartisan, compromise legislation."

As a former member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Loebsack worked to ensure his proposals were included in this bipartisan compromise. Loebsack's Schools of the Future Act, which provides resources to rural schools for improving their education technology programs, was included in the House version of the bill as an amendment that was passed on a bipartisan vote. Loebsack's amendment paved the way for the creation of the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program, a new $1.6 billion dedicated funding stream, up to 60 percent of which can be used by districts to support the effective use of technology in schools. This new fund will be distributed based on need, with a large proportion flowing to rural schools, and can be used to:

·       Provide educators, school leaders and administrators with the professional learning tools, content and resources to provide high quality digital learning;

·       Provide students in rural, remote, and underserved areas with the resources to take advantage of high-quality digital learning experiences, digital resources, and access to online courses taught by effective educators;

·       Build technological capacity and infrastructure;

·       Develop or use innovated or effective strategies for the delivery of curricula through technology;

·       Carry out blended learning projects; and

·       Provide professional development for educators in the use of technology to increase student achievement.

The Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program also supports two of Loebsack's other priorities, including:

·       Improving mental health supports and services in our schools. Funding from this grant can be used to hire more mental health personnel including counselors, school psychologists, social workers and other instructional support personnel, a priority Loebsack advanced in his Reducing Barriers to Learning Act.

·       Supporting community involvement by encouraging schools to partner with public, private, nonprofit and community-based entities to address nonacademic factors affecting student academic performance, which mirrors Loebsack's Working to Encourage Community Action and Responsibility in Education (WE CARE) Act.

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