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Iowa schools on watch list increases

September 5, 2009 By

The number of Iowa public schools that are falling short of expectations set in a federal law has more than doubled in a year. A new report shows 293 Iowa schools are now on the “in need of assistance” list under the No Child Left Behind law. Elaine Watkins-Miller is a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Education.

“This year, it was expected that there would be more schools identified as ‘schools in need of assistance’ and that is true,” Watkins-Miller said. Twenty-percent of Iowa’s 1,442 public schools are on this list, up 9% from last year. State officials blame tougher federal expectations for the increase. The No Child Left Behind law asks schools to make sure all students are proficient in math and reading by 2014 or face penalties. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Education

Group know for water clean up offers trees

September 5, 2009 By

A group that’s known for cleaning up rivers is also working on a project to improve solid ground. Denise Mitten of the Living Lands & Waters program says it’s called the “MillionTrees Project.” She says the trees project was started to help sustain the river cleanup efforts as they are now trying to go in and plant native trees.

Mitten says they plant fruit and nut-bearing trees that help curb erosion as well as provide food for the wildlife. Mitten says they get seeds that are donated, and then grow them into trees that can be planted.

Mitten says the separate the seeds based on whether they are from a low wetland area or an upland dry area. She says they plant the trees in the lowland areas and give the trees for the upland areas to people to plant in their yards, parks and schools. Mitten says they give the trees away free.

Mitten says you can call her or visit their website and find out how to get a tree. She says they are looking for people who’re doing projects, and people who just want to plant a tree in their yard. If you would like more information on the free trees, contact Denise Mitten, Programs Coordinator, at 309-496-9848 or denise@livinglandsandwaters.org.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

More rock ‘n’ rollers to be inducted into state Hall of Fame

September 5, 2009 By

The Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will induct more honorees this holiday weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Doris Welle is one of the organizers behind the concert and celebration at the hall in Arnold’s Park.

“We’re inducting not just bands but radio stations, DJs, the support staff,” Welle says. This year, they’re inducting a support staff person from the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. She says they’re also honoring “women who rocked” and other individuals, in addition to ballrooms. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Human Interest

Iowa schools on watch list increases

September 5, 2009 By

The number of Iowa public schools that are falling short of expectations set in a federal law has more than doubled in a year. A new report shows 293 Iowa schools are now on the "in need of assistance" list under the No Child Left Behind law. Elaine Watkins-Miller is a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Education.

"This year, it was expected that there would be more schools identified as ‘schools in need of assistance’ and that is true," Watkins-Miller said. Twenty-percent of Iowa’s 1,442 public schools are on this list, up 9% from last year. State officials blame tougher federal expectations for the increase. The No Child Left Behind law asks schools to make sure all students are proficient in math and reading by 2014 or face penalties.

The law has been criticized by many educators who say it penalizes schools based on the performance of a few students. Watkins-Miller says Iowa schools are doing their best to avoid being added to the list. "Even with this great challenge, there are schools that are making great achievements and there are districts that have gotten off the list of being identified as a school in need of assistance," Watkins-Miller said.

Middle schools located in Carroll, Johnston and Waukee were identified as the schools that improved test scores and were removed from the list. Although Iowa has 20% of its schools on the list, the state’s public schools are performing much better than those in other states.

"There are states, even here in the Midwest, that have 50% of their schools identified and some in the nation have 70%," Watkins-Miller said. Schools are identified as "failing" based on state test scores, attendance and graduation rates. Schools that miss the federal targets two years in a row are placed on the list.

 

Filed Under: Education

Group know for water clean up offers trees

September 5, 2009 By

A group that’s known for cleaning up rivers is also working on a project to improve solid ground. Denise Mitten of the Living Lands & Waters program says it’s called the "MillionTrees Project." She says the trees project was started to help sustain the river cleanup efforts as they are now trying to go in and plant native trees.

Mitten says they plant fruit and nut-bearing trees that help curb erosion as well as provide food for the wildlife. Mitten says they get seeds that are donated, and then grow them into trees that can be planted.

Mitten says the separate the seeds based on whether they are from a low wetland area or an upland dry area. She says they plant the trees in the lowland areas and give the trees for the upland areas to people to plant in their yards, parks and schools. Mitten says they give the trees away free.

Mitten says you can call her or visit their website and find out how to get a tree. She says they are looking for people who’re doing projects, and people who just want to plant a tree in their yard. If you would like more information on the free trees, contact Denise Mitten, Programs Coordinator, at 309-496-9848 or denise@livinglandsandwaters.org. You can also visit the organization’s website at: www.livinglandsandwaters.org .

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

More rock ‘n’ rollers to be inducted into state Hall of Fame

September 5, 2009 By

The Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will induct more honorees this holiday weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Doris Welle is one of the organizers behind the concert and celebration at the hall in Arnold’s Park.

"We’re inducting not just bands but radio stations, DJs, the support staff," Welle says. This year, they’re inducting a support staff person from the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. She says they’re also honoring "women who rocked" and other individuals, in addition to ballrooms.

Welle says one of the bands that’ll be inducted into the state’s Hall of Fame this year was popular in the 1960s, The Surfinks, from Jewell. The band will be peforming starting at 5 PM Sunday during the concert/awards ceremony in the Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnold’s Park.

Other inductees this year will include: Deputy Dawg Band, Con Brio, XL’s, Morning After, The Impacts, The Charades, Crow, Melody Mill Ballroom, Darrell Winkie – disc jockey, Genuine John’s, Lou & Red Berry and the Bel-Raves, and Natural Color.

Welle says anyone who attends the ceremony and concert will be able to bid on some one-of-a-kind items, from autographed photos to guitars. She says there will be a memorabilia auction that includes items famous people from all over the world have signed and sent in to raise money for the museum. Since the first ceremony, nearly 800 people have been honored by being inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Sunday bash runs until midnight. For information on tickets, visit: www.iowarocknroll.com .

 

Filed Under: Human Interest, Recreation & Entertainment

Vander Plaats makes education promise

September 5, 2009 By

Republican candidate Bob Vander Plaats says if he’s elected governor, he’ll ensure private schools and home schoolers have as much say in crafting state education policy as those who’re involved in public schools.

"It’s about educating all children and about celebrating the education of all children," Vander Plaats says.

Vander Plaats — a former teacher, coach and principal in four different public school districts in Iowa — graduated from Hull Western Christian High School, which is near Sheldon. "I was raised in the private school system, the Christian school system, but came back to Sheldon to serve as their high school principal," Vander Plaats says.

Vander Plaats pledges to appoint a home schooling parent to the state Board of Education. "It’s the parent’s right and privilege to raise and educate and nuture their children, not the government," Vander Plaats says.

Vander Plaats says he’d appoint a representative of the state’s private K-through-12 schools to the Board of Education, too. The current, 10-member state Board of Education currently includes a private school representative. Sister Jude Fitzpatrick is the retired superintendent of schools for the Des Moines Catholic Diocese.

 

Filed Under: Education, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,