Join ITR Foundation Deputy Director Walt Rogers, School Choice Expert Corey DeAngelis, and House Education Committee Vice-Chair Representative Skyler Wheeler for an online School Choice 101 event. Watch this live Facebook event Monday, January 10 at 7:30 pm on The Iowa Standard page.
ITR Foundation Deputy Director Walt Rogers had a great interview discussing education with Jeff Stein on 1540 KXEL this week. Here is some of what Walt had to say: Connecting school choice to taxes: “If we’re going to advocate for the taxpayer, we should be looking probably at the #1 eater of tax dollars, which is public education. We should […]
“School choice shouldn’t be limited to those who have the financial means or are lucky to live in a district that’s confident enough to allow open enrollment. So, let us make choice an option for everyone.” – Governor Kim Reynolds Recently, Governor Reynolds became the first Governor in the nation to sign the Education Freedom Pledge. The American Federation […]
Nothing from the local elections here in Iowa, nor races across the country, will have changed the perception that this political environment is toxic for those who want to push a tax and spend agenda. Tuesday’s elections in Iowa and across the country are now in the books. Iowa voters went to the polls to elect candidates to school […]
Parents are fed up with mask and vaccine mandates, gender and race issues in our local schools. Citizens across Iowa are stepping up and running for their local school boards to take them back. Recently, TEF Iowa Deputy Director Walt Rogers spoke with Jeff Angelo on how these frustrations have sparked a movement to get involved in local schools.
Mask mandates are the latest controversy in a series of events that has parents up in arms over what is best for their children. Recently, TEF Iowa Deputy Director Walt Rogers spoke with Jeff Angelo on what is going on in our public schools and how school choice is the solution for families to choose the education and environment best […]
This past Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt issued a temporary restraining order stopping the enforcement of the mask mandate ban that the Iowa Legislature passed, and Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law. This ruling sent Iowa parents into a quandary, wondering what to do next, finding their children are again being used in a cruel game of tug of […]
Photo: @IAGovernor In a recent editorial The Des Moines Register criticized Governor Kim Reynolds’ vision for education in Iowa. During the legislative session, Governor Reynolds made students a priority and she led the nation in requiring Iowa schools to offer the option of 100 percent in-person learning. By advancing more parental choice in education, Governor Reynolds is placing families first. […]
As this year’s legislative session wound to a close, thanks to the tireless efforts of Governor Kim Reynolds and the Republican-led legislature, they passed several essential measures that not only expand school choice in Iowa but also place the interests of students first.
Education savings accounts (ESA) can help more Iowa families tailor their children’s education to what best fits their needs—no matter their geographic location or socioeconomic background. Rural Iowans Face Unique Education Challenges Iowa’s population is 43% rural and unfortunately, many of Iowa’s lowest rated school districts are located in rural counties. These rural areas often offer fewer educational choices […]
The future of Iowa and our country lies in our children’s hands. We must provide them with the best tools possible to succeed. The most important thing is education. Iowa has a proud heritage of public education and many schools and teachers do a great job educating our children. However, they do not meet the needs of all. This is why school choice is so important. Parents should […]
“Every family deserves the ability to afford an education they believe fits their children best.” “I started in the classroom as a ‘talented and gifted’ teacher. Later on, I crossed over into administration. I’ve worked here in Waterloo, then in Des Moines and now back here again – so I’ve had my share of experiences with the school system in Iowa.” […]
In a recent article, Robert Pondiscio, a Senior Fellow and Vice President for external affairs at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, made a compelling argument on the need for competition in education. Pondiscio is writing from experience as a former public school educator and as a parent. As Pondiscio explains: My progressive credentials were in reasonably good order until […]
“Education is definitely not a one-size-fits-all deal… That’s why having the choice where you go is so important.” “I was in a lot of foster homes as a child. Then, I was adopted by the Davidsons when I was eight years old. My mom and dad knew about Joshua Christian Academy before I was adopted, but they didn’t send […]
An Iowa Grandfather recently shared a conversation he had with his granddaughter about what she was learning in American History. His granddaughter, who is a fourth-grade public school student, was learning about the American Revolution. After inquiring what she learned, she replied, “Grandpa, did you know that the revolutionary war was fought for the freedom of rich white males?” This […]
Public funds are never used for private entities. Fiction Many government programs are based on funding individuals directly rather than funding institutions. Public funds are often used for private purposes such as food stamps, Pell Grants, the G.I. Bill, and Medicaid. Individuals and families who are recipients of these public funds can choose from a variety of both public […]
“We like that we have the freedom to choose where we send our boys to school. We’re also very thankful that we are financially able to do that because there are so many other families out there that don’t have the same opportunities as we do.” “Kelly and I are both teachers here in Waterloo and the parents of […]
At the center of the school choice debate is whether families or bureaucrats are in control of education. Governor Kim Reynolds has made parental choice in education a priority for the 2021 legislative session. Whether it is ensuring all Iowa students have the option to return to class or expanding parental choice, Governor Reynolds understands that education is about students […]
“I feel like everybody should have the ability to make a choice like I did…”
During her Condition of the State address, Governor Kim Reynolds outlined a comprehensive school choice reform plan. One aspect of this calls for expanding charter schools in Iowa. Charter schools are public schools that are run independently but are still held accountable to state and federal standards. These schools are currently limited in Iowa but can provide a more flexible […]
Coretha lost her husband sixteen years ago. Twelve years later, she lost her daughter, Da’Onna. After this tragedy, Coretha is raising her three grandchildren by herself. Although she was happy with the local public school, she quickly found that her grandchildren were being bullied. She began looking for an alternative option, but she quickly realized she could not afford it on […]
“Educations savings account would make it possible for my kids to attend the school that best fits them.” “I’m raising my three grandkids after my youngest daughter, Da’Onna, passed away four years ago.” “Da’Onna became sick and I moved in with her to help out with the kids. Four years ago, this month, she went in for a procedure […]
By offering a customized and unique curriculum, Joshua Christian Academy in Des Moines offers its students hope and opportunity they would not otherwise have had in traditional public schools.
“Educations savings account would make it possible for my kids to attend the school that best fits them.” “We moved here from Raleigh, North Carolina and live on an acreage just outside the city limits of Glenwood, Iowa. We drive down three miles of gravel road to get to our house.” “I got a job offer in Omaha, but […]
In an effort to fill the gaps within the public school system, Royal Legacy Christian Academy opened its doors in 2008. The goal, to provide an affordable and accessible alternative to traditional public schools. Enrollment today continues to grow, as do the grade levels RLCA provides.
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