Iowa ACT Scores #2 in the Nation
Once again Iowa’s graduating high school students ranked number two in the nation after the state of Minnesota. Iowa students earned an average composite score of 22.2. The national average was 21.0. A perfect score on the ACT is a 36.The 2010 high school class left better prepared for college than the 2009 class predecessors, and their ACT scores remained second-highest in the country.
In 2008 the Iowa Legislature passed SF 2216 that boasted Iowa’s Core Curriculum by upping the standards of graduating high school students. Three years after the Legislature raised standards in schools to boost student achievement and ensure kids are prepared for jobs in today’s global economy, the Iowa Board of Education gave unanimous approval at their July 29th meeting to combine Iowa’s Core standards with a multi-state effort to develop a “Common Core” standard.
The Iowa Department of Education’s review of the new national model of education standards shows they are aligned with 88% of Iowa’s standards for math skills and concepts addressed in the Iowa Core. In literacy or English language arts, 84% of the skills and concepts addressed in the Iowa Core are also covered in the Common Core.
The Common Core State Standards were developed to be aligned with college and work expectations, to include rigorous content and skills, and to be internationally benchmarked. The Common Core State Standards initiative encompasses standards for English, language arts, and mathematics.
Fiscal Year Ends with Economy Improving
The state ended the year with an over $300 million surplus, according to the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA). The surplus was over $200 million higher than projected and means the state ended the fiscal year on June 30 in solid financial shape.
The LSA report was released today after the state 2010 fiscal year ended on June 30. The report shows the budget was not only balanced, but will also increase the amount of money in the state’s savings account. Combined with current projections, the surplus means the state’s savings accounts will be nearly full again at the end of next year.
Legislature Ends With Balanced Budget; Help for Small Businesses & Middle Class
The 2010 legislative session adjourned on Tuesday, March 30th, and the Iowa Legislature responsibly balanced the state budget without raising taxes while laying the groundwork for Iowa’s economic recovery.
During these tough economic times, we focused on the priorities of middle class families – balancing the budget, good-paying jobs and a quality education. We made tough choices and reorganized state government to find over $265 million in savings instead of raising taxes, which has put Iowa in a much better position than many other states.
For Fiscal Year 2011, which starts July 1, the budget plan approved spends less than last year and even spends less than the state budget approved four years ago. The ending balance next year will be over $180 million and an additional $200 million will still be in the state’s savings account.
The Legislature approved a new $5 million small business loan fund and expanded technical assistance for businesses and entrepreneurs. An additional $100,000 was given to Iowa Small Business Development Centers, which provide one on one counseling and support for business owners at 15 locations across Iowa, and the state also expanded on-line support for Iowa small businesses at MyEntre.Net.
Legislators increased funding for k-12 schools $147 million next year, expanded preschool to all four year olds, and continued plans to make sure every student graduates with the skills necessary to land a good-paying job in today’s global economy.
House Approves More Support for Small Businesses
In another effort to create good-paying jobs, the Iowa House approved a series of initiatives to help small businesses today, including a new Save Our Small Business Fund designed to help business owners having trouble accessing resources to stay open or expand.
The small business initiatives were approved on Senate File 2389. The Save Our Small Business Fund will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees. Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligible for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment, one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses, and a special committee to find ways to reduce regulatory barriers facing small businesses.
In addition to the incentives approved today, lawmakers have already provided an additional $100,000 for Small Business Development Centers, expanded the statewide MyEntre.Net program to help accelerate the growth of firms most likely to create jobs in Iowa, and kept Iowa’s 55 Workforce Development Centers open to help the unemployed find work or get job training assistance.
Rep. Abdul-Samad with Olivia Dawson
Representative Abdul-Samad visits with Olivia Dawson. Olivia placed second in a statewide essay contest, “Writing Women Back into History.” She is a 6TH grade student at George Washington Middle School in Dubuque.
Iowa Launches First Dental-Only Plan for Kids
Iowa families are encouraged to take advantage of the nation’s first dental-only program for underinsured children. The dental-only program is open to children in families whose income would qualify for the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program and who have health insurance that does not include dental care.
The program is free to families with incomes below 150 percent of poverty and will cost no more than $30 a month, depending on family size and income. The maximum family income threshold is three times the poverty level, or $43,710 for a family of two.
Parents can call 1-800-257-8563 with questions or visit http://www.hawk-i.org for more information on how to apply. In addition to routine dental care, the program also covers medically-necessary dental work.
