The president of the state’s largest teacher union is in Florida this week for the National Education Association’s annual meeting. Iowa State Education Association president, Tammy Wawro says “I think we will have a lot of conversations about re-authorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as No Child Left Behind. And having some discussions about what our priorities are as that comes to fruition.”

She says teachers would like to see more of a dashboard approach when it comes to looking at what the act is accomplishing. “Looking at what schools offer all students versus just a single test score to judge a school or a student’s ability to learn. So, trying to shift that focus from labeling and punishing to truly student learning and student opportunity,” Wawro says.

Wawro says it’s important to be able to provide the same opportunities to all students.
“We know that one in every five children — and nearly 15 million — live in households with income below the U-S poverty threshold. And that is a huge concern to us as we look at opportunities that all children have. We really hope that there’s a piece of it that has to do with arts and athletic programs at the same level of mandatory opportunity for all kids as that one test score.”

The conference began Sunday and runs through July 6th.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The governing board for Iowa’s three public universities is cutting ties with the man who has served as its top lawyer since 2004. A June 16th memo obtained by The Associated Press shows general counsel Tom Evans will soon no longer be employed by the Iowa Board of Regents.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Falls residents will decide Tuesday whether to back a $35 million bond issue that would help increase elementary school capacity. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the district wants to expand Orchard Hill and North Cedar elementary schools while also building a seventh elementary school. If it is approved, the bond issue would add $1.38 of taxes per every $1,000 of taxable value over the next 20 years.

CENTRAL CITY, Iowa (AP) — The ongoing bird flu outbreak has forced competitors at the Linn County Fair and other poultry events in the state to prepare educational displays and leave their birds at home. But the 79 participants in this weekend’s Linn County competition got to meet Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. He visited the fair Saturday to speak about poultry health and the bird flu.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa family that lost a son to suicide in jail this January is pushing for changes in the way people with mental illnesses are treated by authorities. Jim Cornick tells the Des Moines Register that sick people shouldn’t be sent to jail when they clearly need treatment.

A woman from Adair County faces numerous charges following an accident at Orange Avenue and 230th Street on June 22nd. According to Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, 32-year old Kelly Marie McCormick, of Greenfield, was arrested on charges that include OWI/1st offense, No Insurance (accident related), Leaving the scene of an accident, Failure to Maintain Control, Driving Under Suspension, and Operating a Non-registered vehicle (a 2002 Ford Escape). McCormick was later released on $1,000 bond.

And, on June 25th, 31-year old Patrick Lawrence Nolte, of Stuart, was arrested for allegedly violating a No Contact Order issued by a magistrate. According to the complaint, Nolte showed up at a females’ place of employment and allegedly threatened to shoot a man who had provided the woman with a ride to work. The woman said Nolte told her he could show up other mornings as well, unless she talked to him. Her statement indicated she left with Nolte and drove around for a couple of hours until he took her home. Nolte’s bond was set at $300.