We believe that a high-quality teacher workforce is necessary for student achievement. We call for improvements in state policy to provide teacher leadership and development programs, high-quality teacher preparation programs, and recruitment and retention incentives.
Pro-Tip: Talking points are an explanation of the problem and the broad public policy that could be the solution. Talking points can be expanded upon by using your district's stories and data.
Legislative asks are the specific policy proposals we think the legislature should enact to make progress toward solving an issue.
Provide funds to recruit more students into the teaching profession through grants to educator preparation students while completing their degree.
Increase support for the 2+2 elementary education degree program, which allows students to earn a two-year degree at a community college and then complete the required classes to earn a teaching degree online through the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Additionally, provide more support for the accelerated, online program for paraeducators to become a licensed elementary and/or special education teacher at UNI.
Establish a stipend program to offset the financial cost of completing the student teaching requirement.
Provide more flexibility and increase the number of awards through the Teach Iowa Scholar loan repayment program.
Create an additional alternative pathway for teacher licensure candidates to complete coursework while also teaching under supervision of a mentor teacher.
Districts need additional tools to be competitive in today’s workforce market to ensure that they can recruit, hire and retain a quality teacher workforce.
Allow flexibility and provide resources for districts to pay school staff market competitive wages.
Allow the use of the management fund for districts to offer recruitment and retention incentives.
14.2.2022.101