Statement by Iowa State Education Association President Chris Bern

DES MOINES, IA (05/08/2012)(readMedia)-- "The ISEA is pleased with the steps taken giving educators more time to collaborate and work together to improve their craft. Preparing and supporting quality teachers in the classroom is an integral part of student success and the ISEA has supported this concept from the beginning of our discussions on education reform. Iowa has a long history of great schools and outstanding teachers in the classroom. We have high graduation rates and test scores and our teacher mentoring program is one of the best. We can be proud of the work our educators are doing and continue to do on a daily basis. The education reform package also takes some important first steps toward early literacy and kindergarten readiness programs which are important building blocks on the road to high student achievement. However, it is very important to remember that there also has to be a willingness to invest the resources needed for our students to succeed. The education reform package falls short in finding those resources."

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!