New Law Lowers Compulsory School Age from Seven to Six Years Old

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that lowers the compulsory school age for students in Illinois in order to ensure all children have the opportunity to build a solid foundation for academic achievement. The law will also help to combat truancy. Research shows that children who start school at an earlier age are less likely to drop out of school, be placed in special education or commit crimes, and more likely to attend college. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to prepare every child for success in college, career and beyond.

"Today is a good day for our students and for the future of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "The key to so many things in life is a quality education and this new law will ensure our students get an early start on their academic success."

Sponsored by State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester) and State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 1307 lowers the compulsory school attendance age from seven to six years of age beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Illinois joins 26 states that have set the compulsory attendance age at six years old. Eight states and the District of Columbia require students to begin school at age five. The law will also help to combat truancy.

Under the new law, any student turning six years old on or before Sept. 1 must be enrolled to attend school for that school year, starting in 2014. This legislation was introduced in part due to investigative reporting by the Chicago Tribune.

"Study after study has demonstrated that the earlier kids start school, the more likely they are to succeed," Senator Lightford said. "This law will help make sure all of our children are on the right path."

"This law will help children to develop the social and academic skills that will give them a better chance at success in the future," Representative Ford said. "It will also help to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds an equal opportunity to excel in the classroom. The early developmental stages are critical in a person's life, and Illinois cannot afford to put early education on the back burner."

The law will go into effect on July 1, 2014.

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BOWLING GREEN, O.-Bowling Green State University celebrated its 277th graduation on Saturday, August 10. The total number of diplomas awarded was 917, including 343 degrees granted through the Graduate College. Among the graduates is Kathryn Robinson of Bettendorf with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth McCorkle, a Northern Arizona University SecEd-Earth Sci (BSED) major and resident of Hillsdale, IL, was among more than 4,500 students who made the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester.

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University has established a lasting legacy of educating students to help them make a difference in the world. With an expansive Extended Campuses program, the university has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students located at more than 30 sites across Arizona or online. The university is a leader in integrating sustainability into university policies and educational curriculum highlighted by the Platinum LEED-certified Applied Research and Development building, the third-greenest building in the world. More information is online at nau.edu

SIOUX CITY, IA (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Several area residents were summer graduates of Morningside College.

The students are:

Jared Masterson, son of Dave and Maria Masterson of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in business administration.

Carter Ridenour, son of Todd and Laurie Ridenour of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in business administration.

Morningside College is a small, private college in Sioux City, Iowa, that offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a variety of disciplines, or a master's degree in education. For more information about Morningside College, visit the college's website at www.morningside.edu.

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UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Anthony Lucio, from Muscatine, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2013 from Saginaw Valley State University.

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 90 programs of study for its more than 10,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to quality teaching in the classroom, field-based learning outside, NCAA Division II athletics and a broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to excel.

WASHINGTON -- Kayla Hamilton, daughter of Richard Hamilton of Eldridge in Scott County and Duane and Denise Levien of Calamus in Clinton County, has just completed a seven-week internship in Washington, D.C., with Sen. Chuck Grassley.  Hamilton is a senior at the University of Dubuque, majoring in sociology and business.

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"Interning in Washington, D.C., is a good way to get a grasp on the inner workings of Capitol Hill and government itself," Grassley said.  "Interns play an important role in my office and learn through their exposure to all aspects of the operation.  An internship is a unique opportunity for college-age students to be right in the middle of the legislative world and gather essential office experience."

Hamilton served as a legislative intern aiding Grassley's legislative staff.  Her duties included performing research to aid in answering constituent questions, working on special projects for legislative assistants, such as keeping track of legislation as it moves through the House and Senate, preparing binders for bills, and filing and organizing paperwork.

"My internship in Senator Grassley's office was invaluable," Hamilton said.  "Before I came here, I only had a general sense of how the three branches of government worked and I quickly learned how integral the legislative branch is. Senators and congressmen provide a very important service to our country, and I am glad that I was able to support their efforts this summer as well as work in the office of such a respected senator."

College students interested in becoming interns for Grassley in Washington, D.C., or any of his state offices should visit Grassley's Web page at http://grassley.senate.gov.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has conducted oversight of tax-exempt organizations including universities for years.  Most recently, he has focused on New York University (NYU), which gave perks to then-administrator Jack Lew including a home loan and a $685,000 severance payment.  NYU also has generated controversy by giving loans for second homes to select administrators and faculty, a practice it announced it would end amid public scrutiny.  Grassley made the following comment today on President Obama's outline of ideas to reduce college costs and student debt.

"I agree with President Obama on reducing college costs and student debt.  One area for consideration is college spending on high executive salaries and perks that drive up tuition without providing additional value for students.  For example, just before his promised resignation in 2016, New York University's president will receive a gold-plated severance package including a $2.5 million parting bonus and $800,000 a year.   This is on top of the beach house he bought with university help.  President Obama should use his bully pulpit to encourage more independent leadership from the boards that oversee tax-exempt universities.   NYU's president wouldn't have had help with his beach house if the board refused.  And I encourage President Obama to look at a bipartisan Senate bill that would help students and families understand the true cost of college and the different types of student aid.   The more students and parents become savvy shoppers, the more colleges would be forced to rein in rising costs to compete for students."

More information on the Understanding the True Cost of College Act, of which Grassley is the lead Republican sponsor, is available here.

LINCOLN, NE (08/19/2013)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln granted degrees to approximately 775 students at commencement exercises Aug. 16 and 17. The graduates included:

Rock Island: Tyler Michael Reyes , College of Arts and Sciences, bachelor of arts .

Eldridge: Shane E. Gehring , Graduate College, master of business administration .

The graduates are from 34 states and 24 countries.

The ceremonies were the first events conducted in Lincoln's new 15,000-seat Pinnacle Bank Arena. The graduates are from 34 states and 24 countries.

Jay Storz, associate professor of biological sciences at UNL, delivered the address at the Aug. 16 ceremony for graduate and professional degrees. Lance Morgan, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk Inc., delivered the address at the Aug. 17 ceremony for bachelor's degrees and received the Builder Award, recognizing his service to the state and university. Ho-Chunk Inc. is the award-winning economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

A full list of graduates can be found at http://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/downloadables/msword/20130816gradlist.txt. The list includes 11 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service, but studied on the UNL campus.

(DES MOINES) - Executive Order Number 81 signed by Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad on May 15, 2013, declared that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education should be strengthened as part of providing a world-class education, encouraging innovation and enhancing economic development in Iowa.  The Advisory Council's top priorities are to increase student interest and achievement in STEM in order to be well prepared for post-secondary study and the rewarding STEM careers that await them here in Iowa.

Wrapping up the first implementation year of Council programming, outcomes and indicators suggest a strong start, with plenty of work yet to do. Assessment of STEM Council programs is a collaborative effort of evaluation centers at Iowa's three public universities - the Center for Social and Behavioral Research (CSBR) at the University of Northern Iowa, the Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE) at Iowa State University, and Iowa Testing Program (ITP) at the University of Iowa. The collaborative issued their first year report Iowa STEM Monitoring Project 2012-2013 Summary Report at the biannual meeting of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council on August 15, 2013. The report is publicly available at www.IowaSTEM.gov.

Major findings of the first-year assessment provide plenty to build upon. For example:

  • All twelve of the 2012-13 exemplary programs scaled up across Iowa through the new STEM Network were found to increase student interest (89 percent of students reported more interest in at least one STEM subject after having participated).
  • A steady decline is observed in the interest of Iowa youth in general when it comes to STEM topics and STEM careers, from elementary to middle school to high school.
  • Ninety-four percent of surveyed Iowans believe that science and technology are making our lives better.
  • The Iowa Assessment mathematics and science scores of participants in STEM Council programs were considerably stronger than the scores of young Iowans in general (an encouraging association though evaluators point out insufficient information to conclude causation).

The Council's co-chair, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds greeted the findings with cautious optimism, "The fine work of the assessment team boosts the morale of the hundreds of professionals across the State who are working hard to implement the Council's vision," she said, "while at the same time we're reminded of the haves and have nots in Iowa when it comes to STEM who we owe our very best effort moving forward."

A disparity was revealed among parents when it comes to beliefs that their children are "very well prepared" in STEM subjects at school - 37 percent of rural versus 62 percent of urban parents felt so. One of the key considerations in rolling out exemplary STEM programs last year to almost 900 Iowa educators and 38,000 learners was to target regions of the state with the highest need.

Council co-chair Mary Andringa, President and CEO of Vermeer Corporation, sees great value in the assessment document. "STEM is a national imperative in this era of globally competitive markets, and Iowa is really well-positioned to lead by example," she said. "Data-driven decision making informed by objective measures will keep us on the front edge."

The 2012-13 Iowa STEM Monitoring Project Summary Report is available at http://www.iowastem.gov/sites/default/files/stem_monitoring_report_final8-13-13.pdf

STEM programming for FY2014 is already well underway with nine competitively selected exemplary programs being supported in some 3,800 clubs and classrooms reaching almost 100,000 Iowa youth through the Council's Network.  To learn more about STEM education in Iowa contact the Governor's STEM Advisory Council Administration Office or visit www.IowaSTEM.gov.

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About the Governor's STEM Advisory Council: Formed in 2011, the Council is a 40-member, public-private partnership dedicated to building a strong STEM education foundation for all Iowans. For more information, go to www.IowaSTEM.gov.

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that 85% of the children that participated in College Savings Iowa's annual State Fair survey show getting a college education is a necessary step to achieving their dreams and career aspirations. "Iowa children are already thinking about their futures," stated Fitzgerald. "This survey demonstrates how important it is for families to start planning and saving early to help make college a reality for their children."

"Every year we ask children visiting the fair what they want to be when they grow up and if they will need to go to college to achieve these goals," Fitzgerald said. "Needless to say, we are always amazed by the responses they offer." Seventeen percent are planning on becoming veterinarians, with another 11% hoping to become teachers. Doctor came in third this year with 8% of the responses, and nurse ranked fourth with 4%. "According to one child, it will cost him $14 to go to college to become Batman."

"Families that save and invest for their children's college education will be better prepared to meet the challenge of paying for it when the time arrives, and College Savings Iowa is here to help," added Fitzgerald. Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. This year Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $3,045 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income.* Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. 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 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 888-672-9116 or visit www.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.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

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