Pictured: Sen. Schultz (left) and Rep. Best (right) during the Feb. 24, 2024 Chamber Legislative Forum at DMACC.
Gov. Kim Reynolds’s push for reforms to special education instruction in Iowa has survived the 2024 Legislative Session’s first funnel and remains up for debate in the Iowa Senate, but the House passed their version today (Thursday). Reynolds announced her plans to refocus Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEA) on what they were created to do, special education, during her Condition of the State address in January. After significant pushback from teachers, parents, and administrators, it appeared that her bill, which would have limited AEA services unrelated to special education and give local school boards more control of state and federal funding, was unlikely to gain traction in either chamber. However, District 6 Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the legislation managed to make it through the Feb. 16 funnel.
Both chambers have moved their own version of the bill through committee. The House passed their reform 53-41. District 11 Representative Brian Best of Glidden says the House version takes a slower approach to the reform process.
Schultz says the Senate version focuses more on the perception that AEAs are “top-heavy” organizations.
Schultz says he is undecided on the bill until a final version comes together. Best says his concern lies with how it might impact the smaller rural schools like those in his district; however, he did vote yes.
Iowa currently spends around $5,300 more per student than the national average, but Iowa students with disabilities have consistently scored worse on assessments than their peers in other states. Rep. Best and Sen. Schultz made their comments during the Feb. 24 Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum at the DMACC Carroll Campus.
