(DES MOINES) - Senate Democrats appear to be walking away from their own demand for a 4 percent increase in state aid in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, setting schools up to potentially receive no increase in state aid over the next two years.

With their apparent lack of willingness to embrace true reform in conference committee, Senate Democrats are poised to block the governor's reform efforts, thereby putting in jeopardy their own funding demands for Iowa's schools.

"It appears that Senate Democrats are so opposed to fundamental, achievement-based reform they are willing to walk away from their own funding demand, and it is clearly putting us on a pathway to no new money for schools over the next two years," said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht.

"For two decades, we have put more money ahead of real reforms," continued Albrecht. "For two decades, our student achievement has gone from best in the nation to middle of the pack. Governor Branstad and House Republicans are committed to breaking that cycle, and have offered a very generous spending package in order to achieve these reforms, allowing everyone to claim a great victory. Unfortunately, if Senate Democrats continue to oppose these achievement-based reforms, the only losers in this will be Iowa parents and their schoolchildren."

 

To highlight Senate Democrats' demands for new funding, which the governor and House Republicans have accommodated, the governor's office released the following video:

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/16/2013)(readMedia)-- Augustana College announced 872 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2012-2013 winter term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in English and language arts education.

Sarah Althaus from Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in political science.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in accounting.

April Anderson from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in asian studies.

Leo Anderson from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-management and accounting.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, Ill., a sophomore majoring in elementary education.

Hannah Barney from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-marketing and communication studies.

Samantha Bazely from Coal Valley, Ill., a senior majoring in communication studies.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in engineering physics.

Ryan Bertram from Rock Island,, Ill., a senior majoring in accounting certificate.

Andrew Beveroth from Sterling, Ill., a freshman majoring in history.

Allie Bierhaus from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in elementary education and Spanish.

Christopher Boley from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in political science.

Austin Boyle from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-finance, political science, and accounting.

Joe Bright from Erie, Ill., a senior majoring in political science and international business.

Jasmine Brooks from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in political science.

Allison Brown from Milan, Ill., a junior majoring in English and language arts education.

Samantha Bull from Port Byron, Ill., a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Arielle Campos from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in art and business administration-marketing.

Ceara Campos from Rock Falls, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Nicholas Clark from Moline, Ill., a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

David Cook from Silvis, Ill., a senior majoring in history.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, Iowa, a junior majoring in business administration-finance, accounting, and Spanish for professional use.

Rowan Crow from Coal Valley, Ill., a freshman majoring in history education.

Angela Cummins from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Rosa De La Torre from Rock Falls, Ill., a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Zachary Dryoel from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in economics and business administration-finance.

Katelin Durham from Sterling, Ill., a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Erin Gehn from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in applied mathematics.

Elizabeth Gehrmann from Bettendorf, Iowa, a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Alannah Golden from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Jonathan Grchan from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in business adminstration-management information systems.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, Iowa, a junior majoring in graphic design.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in English and language arts education.

Lucas Hodgerson from Moline, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrea Hult from Moline, Ill., a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

Paul Hurd from Wilton, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Jens Hurty from Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in vocal music education.

Kjerstin Hurty from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Jillian Jespersen from Rock Island, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Samantha Johannsen from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in business administration-advising.

Zoee Johnson from Rock Falls, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Katherine Karstens from Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-advising.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

Alyssa Kendell from Davenport, Iowa, a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Jordan Kirkbride from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in French and art history.

Matthew Klyman from East Moline, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in applied mathematics and computer science.

Rebecca Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a freshman majoring in creative writing.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in classics.

Ryan Kopatich from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in psychology.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jamie Lawrence from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in English and language arts education.

Courtney Linn from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

Madison Logan from Moline, Ill., a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Makenzie Logan from Moline, Ill., a freshman majoring in psychology.

Autumn Loose from Moline, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-management and accounting.

Hannah Maloney from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in psychology and communication studies.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, Ill., a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biochemistry.

Garrett Miner from Moline, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Landon Neese from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine.

Long Nguyen from Rock Island, Ill., a freshman majoring in applied mathematics and computer science.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting and buisness administration-finance.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

Andrew Palm from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in physics.

Eric Pease from Sterling, Ill., a senior majoring in neuroscience and pre-medicine.

Nicholas Petre from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in philosophy, pre-med, and biochemistry.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in computer science.

Phillip Powell from Bettendorf, Iowa, a freshman majoring in English education.

Anish Reddy from Rock Island, Ill., a freshman majoring in pre-medicine.

Tyler Richards from Port Byron, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Sarah Riedel from Long Grove, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in creative writing.

Omar Rizvi from Bettendorf, Iowa, a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Jessica Roche from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Keith Sands from Silvis, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Jessica Scheckel from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a senior majoring in biology and psychology.

Lauren Schneiderbauer from Sterling, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Austin Schoeck from Rock Island, Ill., a freshman majoring in political science.

Jennifer Schroder from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in communication studies.

Katelyn Sedig from Morrison, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-advising.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, Iowa, a senior majoring in anthropology.

Alexandra Skinner from Bettendorf, Iowa, a junior majoring in theatre arts and psychology.

Jonathan Smith from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrew Statz from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Grant Stewart from Sterling, Ill., a senior majoring in elementary education.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish for professional use.

Sara Tilp from Rock Island, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Anthony TouVelle from Bettendorf, Iowa, a junior majoring in German and international business.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, Iowa, a senior majoring in history.

Megan Vandersee from Sterling, Ill., a senior majoring in chemistry education.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-finance.

James Wiebler from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in biology.

Rong Zheng from Silvis, Ill., a freshman majoring in liberal studies.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Alumni include 140 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 14 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Eastern Iowa Community College in Davenport has been awarded $26,518 from the Department of Transportation's National Summer Transportation Institute Program (NSTI). The funding will be used to promote awareness of educational and career opportunities among disadvantaged and at-risk middle and high school students around the country. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that funds the DOT.

"Job training and educational programs like NSTI provide resources that help prepare young Iowans for good jobs in high-demand industries.  This is an investment that provides opportunity and promotes job growth for local communities," said Harkin.  "I congratulate Eastern Iowa Community College on this award and look forward to the progress these classes will bring."

Specifically, Eastern Iowa Community College will use the funds to host educational classes focusing on transportation careers for Quad Cities area high school students.

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The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency's Parent & Educator Connection Program is sponsoring a
workshop to present basic IEP information.

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Location: Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency
729 21st Street
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

There are a limited number of seats available. Minimum of 15 participants required.

A $25 stipend per family is available.

Reserve your seat by April 25, 2013 by contacting:
Kathy Anson, Parent & Educator Facilitator
kanson@aea9.k12.ia.us or 563-242-6454 ext. 6392

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2013 Fr. Schaab Pb&P.JPG
April 15, 2013

Jordan fourth grade students collected Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Crackers for their Lenten
service project "Peanut Butter & Prayers." The food was donated to the St. Vincent
DePaul Food Pantry to serve as a healthy snack for children. The Jordan students prayed
each day for all children in our community who go to bed hungry.

Pictured in the photo: Fr. Mike Schaab accepts a donation of peanut butter, jelly, and
crackers from Jordan fourth grade students (from left) Zachary Otten-Thoms, Kaia
Akiona, Brianna Waller, and Casey Magee.
SAU Engineering Acceptance.JPG
Sixteen 6th grade students at Jordan Catholic School were accepted to St. Ambrose University's Engineering Camp. The school reported a record number of students qualifying for the camp and attributes it to Jordan's strong S.T.E.M. program.

Pictured (in alphabetical order): Emma Beardsley, Chloe Boyd, Anna Darrow, John Do, Sydney Elliott, Jonathan Fernandez, Julia Fout, Parker Georlett, Lauren Hird, Evan Juarez, Nate Maynard, Aaron Mickelson, Faith Pickslay, Vanessa Reger, Ava Reynolds, Kaitlynn Zonnevylle
On Wednesday April 24th from 4:00 - 6:30 P.M. Jordan Catholic School will hold a Spring Open House. Come see all that Jordan has to offer your family. Take a tour of our school, meet the administrative staff and teachers, view preschool - 8th grade classrooms, science, engineering, and computer labs, library, and fine arts classrooms. You can also learn about Jordan's faith formation, curriculum and enrichment, special education and speech services, and athletic programs.

Jordan Catholic is recognized for its outstanding academic programs, cultural diversity, and safe, friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. Jordan Catholic School is the FIRST choice of families seeking an outstanding core academic program, lab-based science and technology, dynamic middle school enrichment, a comprehensive & secure campus, and inspiring teachers.

LINCOLN, NE (04/12/2013)(readMedia)-- University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students will be honored in conjunction with UNL's All-University Honors Convocation April 14 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, including 42 seniors who will be recognized as Chancellor's Scholars, the university's highest undergraduate academic honor.

Students are recognized at Honors Convocation for their cumulative academic achievements (compared with Dean's List, which is for one semester). Honorees include :

? Chancellor's Scholars, students who graduated in December or who will receive their degrees in May or August and have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at UNL and elsewhere;

? Superior Scholars, seniors graduating in the 2012-13 academic year who have been recognized at Honors Convocation each year of their enrollment;

? High Scholars, students other than Chancellor's Scholars and Superior Scholars who are in the top 10 percent of their class.

Students from this area who will be honored include :

Bettendorf: Hannah Marjorie Kurth, senior, Superior Scholar, College of Fine and Performing Arts .

Bettendorf: Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, junior, High Scholar, College of Fine and Performing Arts with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Davenport: Samantha Walton Adrales, sophomore, High Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences .

Photographs of 36 of the 42 Chancellor's Scholars (six were unavailable for photographs) can be found at http://go.unl.edu/uau. A list of all students recognized at Honors Convocation can be found at http://go.unl.edu/5ei.

April 12, 2013

MOLINE, IL -- Freshman and transfer students interested in attending Western Illinois University-Quad Cities can tour the new campus and learn about WIU-QC programs by attending the Discover Western-Quad Cities Open House set for Saturday, April 20 at the WIU-QC Riverfront campus.

Discover Western-QC programs, which are offered several times during the year, are designed to serve freshmen and transfer students. The Discover Western-QC April 20 open house event will take place from 9-11:30 a.m., with an introduction of representatives from WIU's academic colleges and to the wide range of services offered at Western.

In conjunction with the Discover Western-QC April 20 event, Discover Western Engineering will be held from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m. for Discover Western Engineering attendees.

Through a class project, senior marketing students enrolled in a marketing management course collaborated this semester to promote and coordinate Discover Western Engineering. To prepare for the event, the students?who will be present at the event?created a 30-second promotional video, sent marketing materials to area high schools and businesses and collected prizes.

"This class project has been a rewarding learning opportunity," noted Rebeka Farias, a senior from Moline pursuing her bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis in marketing. "It has enabled us to work on a real-world project and the chance to communicate and build professional relationships with peers, professors and businesses."

All Discover Western-QC attendees (including Discover Western Engineering participants) for the April 20 event will receive a raffle ticket and will be entered to win a variety of prizes, also collected by the students.

For more information about the Discover Western-QC portion of the program, contact WIU-QC at (309) 762-1494. Individuals can register online at wiu.edu/qc/discover.

For more information about Discover Western Engineering, contact WIU-QC Engineering at (309) 762-9481, ext. 62783. Individuals interested in attending Discover Western Engineering can register online at wiu.edu/qc/engineering.

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(DES MOINES) - Senate Democrats on Thursday provided misleading information regarding the finances of the education reform conference committee offer made by legislative Republicans and the governor.

"Senate Democrats have repeatedly stated 'The price for education reform is four and four' (meaning 4 percent allowable growth or supplemental state aid for the next two fiscal years)," said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht. "The governor and legislative Republicans took them at their word, and found a way to meet this demand. Senate Democrats could have everything they wanted, in exchange for all the fundamental reforms Republicans want. Now, Senate Democrats are trying to confuse the issue by saying the offer is not equivalent to their demand of four percent each year."

The reality: 4 percent growth in state aid for FY 2014 is equivalent to funding of $6,241 per pupil - a total of about $2.7 billion statewide.  The offer by the Governor and legislative Republicans of 2 percent supplemental state aid and a 2 percent one-time payment is equivalent to that same $6,241 per pupil.

"Simply put, two plus two equals four," said Albrecht.

Senate Democrats demanded 4% in FY 2015, and the conference committee offer met that request.

"Respected education organizations recognize the opportunity presented in this compromise proposal," continued Albrecht. "That's why the proposal has been endorsed by the Iowa Association of School Boards, the School Administrators of Iowa, and the Urban Education Network of Iowa."

Though the communication from Senate Democrats mentioned nothing about the policy in House File 215, these organizations recognize that the transformational reforms the bill offers will dramatically increase student achievement. In addition, nearly the entire business community endorsed House File 215 when it passed the House in February.

"We will not continue to put additional money into the existing system absent fundamental reforms in education that will increase student achievement," said Albrecht. "The conference committee proposal offers the ability to provide school districts the regular funding they have requested, all while transforming education in Iowa."

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