Iowa's 2nd District Congressman Dave Loebsack Introduces Education Legislation

The former professor seeks expanded support services in U.S. schools

By MEGAN HAWKINSREGISTER STAFF WRITER
August 4, 2007

Children across the country would have more access to support services in school if legislation from one of Iowa's newest congressmen is passed.

Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack introduced his first bill on Friday, with the support of 28 co-sponsors.

The longtime professor's bill aims to expand non- academic services ranging from counseling and social work to speech pathology and physical therapy that are offered in schools.

The effort is one sign of the growing responsibilities schools have, and the public's expectation that they offer more than reading, writing and math lessons. Many support services entered schools around 1975, with the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Loebsack said he believes that boosting the nonacademic services is necessary to help students overcome personal roadblocks and succeed in the classroom.

"There are a lot of students who come to school every day and they're really not ready to learn, not prepared emotionally, or sometimes physically, to do their best at school," Loebsack said in an interview. "This is all about reducing barriers to learning.

"The Reducing Barriers to Learning Act would establish an Office of Specialized Instructional Support within the U.S. Department of Education. It would create a federal grant program to help recruit and retain professionals, and to expand support services in schools. It would clarify terminology, definitions and the roles of support staff, which are listed differently in other major pieces of legislation.

Loebsack cited some research on the shortage of support staff in Iowa.

National research recommends schools supply one counselor per 250 students and one social worker for every 400 students. An Iowa law passed last year includes the goal of having one counselor for every 350 students. Last year in Iowa, 40 of the state's 365 districts did not have even one counselor.

Iowa Department of Education officials noted that in Iowa, many districts use services through area education agencies. Director Judy Jeffrey applauded the extra resources for support staff, but also said she hopes it would not mean even more regulations.

Today's Des Moines Register EDITORIAL---Look Beyond No Child Law; Offer World-Class Education

It's reassuring to hear the House education committee chairman acknowledge the No Child Left Behind law is not working well. The law, which says all students must be proficient in reading and math by 2013-14, was well-intended and passed with bipartisan support.

Of course every student who is capable of doing so should be proficient in reading and math. And of course the achievement gap between minority and white students, and poor and affluent students, should be closed.

But schools have been stuck for five years with the law's one-size-fits-all rigidity and many negative consequences.

In a speech at the National Press Club in Washington this week, Rep. George Miller called for changes.

"The American people have a very strong sense that No Child Left Behind is not fair, it is not flexible and it is not funded. And they are not wrong," said the California Democrat, an author of the original law.

Votes to reauthorize the law could come as soon as September. Miller said he wants to maintain accountability, but with a more reasonable approach that places slightly less emphasis on results of standardized reading and math tests for every child.

That would be a welcome adjustment to a law that sets up unrealistic expectations, particularly for students with significant learning disabilities.

"That doesn't mean we can't raise expectations. We can," said Judy Jeffrey, director of the Iowa Department of Education. "But some of our children are not going to be gold-medal swimmers. We can get them to be able to lead healthy, productive lives, but they may do it in different ways and through different career paths.

"It is distressing, however, that national leaders are paying so little attention to moving U.S. students beyond basic skills.

In today's increasingly competitive global economy, American children must learn at the highest level. Otherwise, how will the United States stay ahead of fast-developing countries, such as China and India?

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