(Des Moines) District #18 Representative Tom Moore, of Griswold, highlighted three bills that passed through the Iowa House this week. Moore voted yes on the Junior Fire Fighter program, voted NO on the Teacher Prep Program, and no on the Tag bill.
Moore says the Teacher Prep Programs bill (HF2230) requires clinical experiences for all students to include 15 practicum hours focused on differentiation of instruction and support for special populations, including ELL, special education, instructional implementation, and IEP progress monitoring. It also mandates that students in teacher prep programs must take an assessment to measure mastery and provide an opportunity for remediation.
“I was a NO vote because the assessment is a summative test, which does not affect whether or not they will be a successful teacher. If this test is to be used by the department for gathering data on what remediations need to take place, the best way to do this is not through a summative test but through actual polling of superintendents, principals, and first- and second-year teachers,” said Moore. The bill passed 94-2.
Moore voted no on the Talented and Gifted TAG bill (SF2220), which strengthens TAG programs, allows automatic enrollment in advanced coursework, and creates an advanced middle school math pathway.
Moore said, “Although I favor the TAG portion, the mandates created in this bill could be a burden, especially on smaller schools, having to fund classrooms for very few students. Therefore, I was a NO vote.” The bill passed 84-11.
Tom Moore voted yes for the Junior Fire Fighter Program (SF2086), allowing for schools to offer a junior fire fighter program to juniors and seniors. Upon completion of the program, the student will be allowed to sit for the Firefighter 1 certification testing.
“This is a great bill helping combat a lack of firefighters in Iowa,” said Representative Moore. 18-year-olds will now be prepared to take their firefighter 1 test, without having to wait until they turn 18 for the instruction, preparation, and then the testing.” Then passed by 94-0.
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