Students get fired up about education
ccripes@thehawkeye.com
DES MOINES — An education session at Great River Region Days inspired so much debate, teachers and students alike were breaking a cardinal classroom rule.
Whispers abounded as Sen. Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, discussed the core curriculum bill during the first day of Great River Region Days in Des Moines. The students in question are joining in on the two-day event through M-Power U Youth.
The session Wednesday afternoon was meant to discuss workforce challenges and education, but the students steered the conversation to the latter topic.
“Do you think that the emphasis on reading … is why we’re falling behind in math and science?” said West Burlington High School senior Kristina Tames-Dingman, after learning how unprepared high school students are to enter college in those areas.
McKinley said reading is a gateway skill that affects every other area of learning. He said the problem lies in the fact that students are not able to read for understanding by the time they enter high school.
McKinley said he thinks the core curriculum bill is flawed. He said it should be about standards, meaning what students should be expected to know by a given grade level, rather than outlining specifically what students are taught.
“In the rush to get something done so that it looks like we’re doing something, sometimes you can have unintended consequences,” McKinley said.
David File from Iowa Wesleyan College suggested using the term outcomes instead of standards or curriculum.
Fort Madison High School student Eric Dirth wanted to ensure the higher standards were applied to all students, not just above average students.
Southeast Community College President Beverly Simone said at the end of the session regardless of the outcome of the bill, education is a complex issue that affects everyone. Simone said SCC’s position is to support core curriculum.
Notre Dame High School student Brittany Fletcher said she wants to get the best education she can because today’s high school students are the future of the world.
Other education topics up for discussion included: merit-based pay for teachers and high tuition costs.
McKinley said the bill has passed the Senate but has not yet gone through the House.
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