They are not waiting for increased pay to make a commitment to their students and they are not withholding competence until incentives arrive. Teachers need better support than they have been given, and pay systems ought to reinforce the kind of support that makes a difference. If we can do this, Iowa gets an economic boost. Most educators understand that the root of many of our current educational challenges can be found in the dramatic changes in our state s economy during the last two decades. The new economy in Iowa will be built not on rich fertile soil, but on rich productive minds.
Education is our greatest asset.
We already have a great educational system. If we can make it the very best and point it toward a more productive future, then that asset becomes even greater. If we gain national prominence for doing so in a way that no other state has done, so much the better. We continue to have incredible commitment from the governor, legislative leaders, state education association leaders and business leaders. For the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of working with a small bipartisan working group of legislators from both the House and Senate, and representation from the governor s office developing legislation on these issues.