• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Friday, May 27, 2022
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Education

Sinclair Discusses Gov. Reynolds’ Education Priorities

State Senator Amy Sinclair, the Iowa Senate Education Committee chair, discussed Gov. Kim Reynolds' education priorities mentioned in her Condition of the State address.

Shane Vander HartbyShane Vander Hart
January 20, 2021
in Education, State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read

DES MOINES, Iowa – State Senator Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, the Iowa Senate Education Committee chair, discussed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ education priorities during last week’s Condition of the State address. 

RELATED POSTS

The Iowa Legislature adjourns for the 2022 session.

Iowa House will not vote on school choice bill this year

Iowa rebounds from pandemic unemployment numbers

She supports Reynolds’ belief that Iowa’s students need to return to in-person learning.

“I think some of the things that she brought up were really important. We do need to get kids back into school learning in the environment that is best suited to them; 85 percent of districts across the state are already doing that. And we have to get the rest of them back on board,” she told The Iowa Torch on Wednesday afternoon at the State Capitol. 

Sinclair also said that the Iowa Senate needs to discuss how to help school districts recover from COVID-19 and deal with a decline in education and certified enrollment.

“I think just making sure that, that we’re not springing new things on them to have to implement while they’re living through what is a global pandemic, and the uncertainty that that brings to kids and families I think is really important, too,” she said.

“All in all, I’m excited to get to work on some of her priorities, and I hope we can make a move forward,” Sinclair added.

The Iowa Torch asked Sinclair about the governor’s school choice agenda and whether or not something like an Education Savings Account program is possible this session. 

“I think it’s going to take some conversation. I do wholeheartedly believe in giving parents and students the choices and the opportunities that make the most sense for their child’s education. Frankly, I’ve always been a staunch advocate of parental rights and education. And that hasn’t changed. I think it’s likely we talk about it. In fact, I think it’s likely we talk about it soon,” she answered. 

ADVERTISEMENT

She also applauded Reynolds’ mention of the need to address Iowa’s open enrollment laws. 

“My goodness, there are five districts in the state of Iowa that can disallow a child to open enroll to another district, unlike the rest of the state. And many of those districts, in fact, 12 of the schools that are on Iowa’s ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) failing schools list,” Sinclair explained. “So we’re literally trapping children in failing schools with that policy. It’s important we move that forward, giving some additional exceptions for transitioning and open enrollment.”

She noted that legislation backed by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Education proposes changing Iowa’s open enrollment law to provide families in every school district a public education choice. 

Sinclair noted that Reynolds discussed charter schools and Education Savings Accounts, noting Reynolds discussed getting families “the best opportunity for kids that suit their needs, not necessarily just a one size fits all system.”

“So I’m happy to have all of those conversations and I think they’ll start soon,” she said.

Continue Reading
Tags: Amy SinclairIowa Senate Education CommitteeK-12 EducationKim ReynoldsSchool Choice
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Iowa House Panel Advances Bill Expanding Open Enrollment

Next Post

The Protect Life Amendment Passes Out of Iowa House Judiciary Committee

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of The Iowa Torch.

Related Posts

Reynolds Launches New Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship
Politics

Reynolds targets two more Republican state representatives

May 26, 2022
Feenstra, Hinson Join Letter Urging Congressional Leaders to Reduce Spending, Balance Budget
Opinion

Hendrickson: Is Iowa prepared for the federal debt crisis?

May 25, 2022
Group Pushes for Tax Cuts with Iowa’s Projected Revenue Growth
State Government

The Iowa Legislature adjourns for the 2022 session.

May 25, 2022
State Government

Iowa House will not vote on school choice bill this year

May 24, 2022
architecture building city facade
Politics

Five Iowa House Republicans took money from teachers’ union PAC

May 20, 2022
Reynolds Launches New Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship
Politics

Reynolds endorses two pro-school choice Iowa House candidates

May 19, 2022
Next Post
The Protect Life Amendment Passes Out of Iowa House Judiciary Committee

The Protect Life Amendment Passes Out of Iowa House Judiciary Committee

Grassley: ‘I Hope We Can Retire #Resist’

Grassley: 'I Hope We Can Retire #Resist'

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

WATCH: Iowa 3rd Congressional District Republican Primary Debate

WATCH: Iowa 3rd Congressional District Republican Primary Debate

May 16, 2022
Grassley: Inheritance Taxes Are Bad for Farm Economy

Biden Plan Could Force Iowa Family Farms to Sell to Pay Federal Tax

August 20, 2021
The ‘Taxpayer Is Always On The Hook’ With Empty Arenas, Convention Centers

The ‘Taxpayer Is Always On The Hook’ With Empty Arenas, Convention Centers

November 21, 2020

Popular Stories

  • Reynolds Launches New Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship

    Reynolds targets two more Republican state representatives

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Five Iowa House Republicans took money from teachers’ union PAC

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds endorses two pro-school choice Iowa House candidates

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House will not vote on school choice bill this year

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Freeman files to run in Iowa House District 46

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.