Rural School Issues In The News...
Education Advocate Advises the State Board of Education - August 4, 2023
Districts ask Iowa Department of Education for guidance on new state law - August 3, 2023
Rural, Urban School Advocates look for guidance on implementing new laws - August 4, 2023
Iowa schools want state to clear up book "confusion", state Board of Education president says - August 3, 2023
No guidance provided yet to Iowa schools after State Board of Education meets about book restrictions - August 3, 2023
Iowa Department of Education does not commit to clarifying K-12 book restriction rules - August 3, 2023
Iowa Department of Education vague on book-ban rules - August 4, 2023
Iowa Dept. of Education to answer questions on a case-by-case basis for new school book removal requirements - August 3, 2023
Time, money help rural schools tackle teacher shortage - June 16, 2023
Amicable school merger beats sigma of consolidation - June 16, 2023
Rural schools struggle with funding, teacher shortage - February 25, 2023
Iowa Senate approves 3% increase in K-12 public school aid - February 2, 2023
Rural superintendents worry about long-term impacts of Students First Act - February 2, 2023
Statehouse Republicans Propose 3% and Increase for Iowa Schools - February 1, 2023
'Mean-spirited' bill restricting how teachers can support transgender students moves quickly through Iowa House - February 1, 2023
House GOP Proposes $106 Million Increase in General State Funding for Public Schools - February 1, 2023
House GOP proposes 3% increase in general state spending on public schools - February 1, 2023
Iowa governor signs private school bill - February 1, 2023
School choice becomes nationwide conservative priority - January 31, 2023
Residents press local lawmakers on school funding, ESAs - January 30, 2023
Will Iowa's $7,600 ESAs really cover the cost of Private School? - January 29, 2023
Perry Superintendent Describes Governor's SSA Proposal - January 27, 2023
After Years of Debate, Iowa Passes Statewide Education Savings Account Program - January 27, 2023
Education, legislative officials react to Students First Act - January 26, 2023
Rural Iowa Superintendent Says Voucher Bill Helps Privileged Few that Private Schools Can "Cherry-Pick" - January 23, 2023
Here's how the governor's budget pays for private school scholarships - January 20, 2023
Full Iowa House and Senate will debate voucher bill on Monday - January 19, 2023
Vouchers Debate Continues - January 20, 2023
Iowa educators voice opposition to Gov. Reynolds voucher plan - January 19, 2023
School choice bill advances through legislative committees - January 19, 2023
State lawmaker accuses some educators of promoting socialism - January 19, 2023
Here's how the governor's budget pays for private school scholarships - January 20, 2023
Iowa State House GOP Speeds Up Process for Governor's School Choice Bill - January 18, 2023
A misguided effort to make Iowa's local elections partisan - January 18, 2023
Scores of Iowans pack hearing on tuition aid bill - January 17, 2023
House GOP speeds up process for governor's "school choice" bill - January 17, 2023
Maeder: 'Become a voice for public schools' - January 17, 2023
Iowa Republicans target education with bills on private schools, gender identity - January 15, 2023
Here's what's different about Gov. Reynolds' Newest school voucher bill - January 12, 2023
Administrators fight back for school funding - December 2, 2022
Legislature, interest groups prepare for renewed private school scholarship push - November 20, 2022
Rural School Advocates set 2023 legislative priorities, fighting Education Savings Accounts for Iowa families at top of list - October 26, 2022
How best to serve Iowa students drives school choice debate - from Iowa Ideas 2022 Panel Discussion - October 17, 2022
House panel advances Governor's 'Students First' scholarship plan - March 10, 2022
Governor Reynold's bill to divert public school funds to private schools advances in the Iowa House - March 9, 2022
Reynolds plan for state accounts for private school parents clears the first house hurdle - March 9, 2022
State lawmakers working on bill to change investigations into teachers after i9 investigation - March 1, 2022
Cursive writing bill headed to Iowa Senate floor - February 23, 2022
Iowa House approves bill restricting girls' sports to biological females - February 23, 2022
Gov. Reynolds pushes for law to give parents school choice - February 15, 2022
Iowa House and Senate split on school funding rate - February 8, 2022
Yes, Iowa Republican's bill would put cameras in classrooms - February 8, 2022
Iowa House set to debate plan for 2.5% increase in school funding - February 8, 2022
Republicans in Iowa Statehouse raise ideas to recruit teachers. Democrats call for more state aid. - February 1, 2022
Educators at Iowa's 'failing schools' say they are used as part of political agenda - January 30, 2022
Iowa House panel tables change to Iowa's school start date - January 27, 2022
GOP Senators Argue that Less Money Makes Public Schools Better - January 25, 2022
Child care advocates seek relief from pandemic funding problems - We Are Iowa - January 10, 2022
'We can't make it spread anymore': Iowa preschool programs fight for federal funding - KCCI Channel 8 - January 10, 2022
Iowa Rural School Advocates set 2022 legislative agenda - Decorah News - November 1, 2021
Rural schools discuss legislative priorities - Clinton Herald - November 1, 2021
Rural School Advocates Set 2022 Legislative Agenda - October 28, 2021
Iowa charter schools bill prepared for governor's action - The Center Square Contributor - May 4, 2021
The rules for Iowa charter schools are changing - Des Moines Register - May 3, 2021
To mask or not to mask - Des Moines Register - April 2, 2021
School officials: Charter schools unneeded, may divert public funds - The Daily Nonpareil - March 30, 2021
Bill would let some 5-year-olds enroll in preschool programs - Times Republican - March 26, 2021
Federal aid could ease preschool losses from pandemic in Iowa - The Gazette - March 16, 2021
Bill would expand roster of those eligible to be Iowa substitute teachers - Radio Iowa - March 15, 2021
Parents would need to consent to gender identify curriculum under Senate bill - Iowa Capital Dispatch - February 16, 2021
School choice bill opens more education options for Iowa families - The Center Square - February 5, 2021
Iowa lawmakers consider measure making it easier to hold children back a grade, given pandemic-related turmoil - Des Moines Register - January 26, 2021
Parental choice? Or a loss of local control? Iowa lawmakers to weigh requirement for in-person classes - Des Moines Register - January 11, 2021
Pandemic impact on enrollment, achievement complicates Iowa school funding - Quad-City Times - January 6, 2021
Decline in K-12 Enrollment Will Drive Legislative Debate Over School Funding - Iowa Public Radio News - January 4, 2021
Decrease in Enrollment Could Lead to Financial Trouble for Iowa Public Schools - WHO-13 Des Moines, December 15, 2020
State legislator gives verbal support to shool board's concerns - Clinton Herald - November 25, 2020
Pandemic intensifies challenges for rural students and teachers - Illinois Farmer Today - November 24, 2020
How a once noncontroversial new law became the center of Iowa's polarizing return-to-school plans - Des Moines Register - August 11, 2020
State Senate Candidate Varley, Public Education Stakeholders, Meet Virtually Thursday - Raccoon Valley Radio - August 7, 2020
Reynolds accuses virtual 'Return to Learn' plans of 'defying the law' - KCCI - August 5, 2020
Iowa lawmakers still undecided on school funding - Radio Iowa - February 24, 2020
K-12 Funding Running Late in Iowa Legislature - Iowa Public Radio - February 20, 2020
K-12 Funding in Iowa Leg Still Undecided - KWIT Siouxland - February 20, 2020
Parental Notification Bill for LGBT School Curricula Advances in Iowa House - Caffeinated Thoughts - February 11, 2020
Iowa legislature debates bills about funding, resource officers, "room clears" - Clinton Herald - February 11, 2020
The Debate over K-12 Education Funding at the Statehouse - Iowa Public Radio's River to River - February 10, 2020
Iowa lawmakers seek ways to address school violence - The Gazette - February 5, 2020
Iowa lawmakers stick with their K-12 funding plans - The Globe Gazette - January 30, 2020
Now with millions more for busing, rural Iowa schools focusing on classrooms - The Gazette - November 22, 2019
Transportation Funding Boost Helping Rural Schools - Sioux City Journal - November 16, 2019
Rural School Advocates Set 2020 Legislative Agenda - Mitchell County Press News and Globe Gazette - October 29, 2019
Rural School Advocates Set 2020 Legislative Agenda - Audubon County Advocate Journal - October 25, 2019
Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Keep Teachers in the Classroom - September 18, 2019
Roundtable on rural broadband expansion led by Iowa congresswoman, FCC commissioner - Southernminn.com - August 5, 2019
For rural Iowans, broadband internet 'a necessity for modern life,' FCC commissioner says - The Gazette - August 5, 2019
School Districts Need Reliable Funding for Transportation – The Gazette – April 14, 2019
Why Rural Schools Matter, Rural Teacher Testimonials - Rural School Collaborative - March 2019
Deyoe votes to extend school infrastructure tax - Nebraska City News & Press - March 19, 2019.
Weekly District Update - Oskaloosa Harold - February 18, 2019.
Bill clears committee on sales tax money for area schools - KIOW - February 15, 2019.
Bill moving through legislative would extend sales tax to Iowa Schools - KIWA Radio - February 15, 2019.
Proposed Changes to Education Funding Fall Short of Bipartisan Support – Iowa Public Radio - February 11, 2019. Margaret Buckton on IPR River to River radio show.
Bill would extend sales tax to Iowa Schools - Radio Iowa - February 14, 2019
K-12 funding boost likely to clear first hurdle - The Gazette - February 9, 2019
Iowa legislature soon to vote on three education funding bills - Radio Iowa - February 6, 2019
Senate Panel Advances Republican Plan For K-12 Funding Increase - Iowa Public Radio - RSAI Professional Advocate, Margaret Buckton, in the news, February 6, 2019
Extending Sales Tax for Iowa schools gathers speed - The Courier, RSAI Professional Advocate, Margaret Buckton, in the news
Report: Rural poverty in America is "an emergency" - NPR
Time is running out to extend Iowa sales tax for schools - The Gazette
Iowa Bill Reduces Rural District Bus Costs - School Transportation News
Margaret Buckton Interviewed with School Leaders on School Safety, Vouchers and More - IPR
Taken for a Ride: Investigating school transportation costs - KWWL
For richer and for poorer: a look at funding in two Iowa schools - The Gazette
Case Study: Davenport's legal challenge against "inequity in funding" - The Gazette
Is School Funding Fair? A Roundtable Debate - EdWeek Article
IPR's Sarah Boden reports on juggling school transportation, education funding - Interview on SoundCloud
Transportation Cost Disparity Takes Funds from Education in Some Iowa School Districts - IowaWatch.Org
Journal Express article - RSAI noted in the Journal Express regarding opposition to HF 566, change of school board elections to November.
School Choice and Rural Education
Parents for Great Iowa Schools Press Release
Education Week Article, January 19, 2017 - Read about how education is failing rural Iowa in this commentary piece from Education Week
FOX TV News Story, May 2016- Click here to read about the future of rural schools in Iowa given funding concerns.
Budget Costs Soar for Rural Schools - Click here to read an article on the Iowa Public Radio website regarding Iowa rural school funding.
I-35 Students Advocate for 4% with #FOURtunatefutures and #pupilsnotpolitics - Click here to read an excerpt from the student published Roadrunner Report. Share your district's success stories with your local Representative and use the hashtags #FOURtunatefutures and #pupilsnotpolitics.
Teachers could earn up to $16,500 more in their first year under new bill - January 18, 2024
A rural school teaches lessons on governing - February 21, 2023
I am a Rural Teacher - A second career in teaching can rewrite your life story - Teacher Profile Crystal Stevenson, Elkader, IA - November 23, 2022
Report card on Iowa Schools: Data shows how Iowa compares to other states - August 23, 2022
Iowa lawmakers propose $19 million to go towards education - February 8, 2022
Where are all the Substitute Teachers? - January 30, 2022
Mental health, school staffing take center stage at legislative dinner - December 2, 2021
Commentary: Times Article on Rural School Misses Half the Story - Educational Success - October 6, 2021
Great video from Iowa An A Rural Teacher campaign - April 29, 2020
U.S. Dept of Education Backtracks, Restores Previous Cuts to Rural School Funding - Education Week - March 5, 2020
How a program can help students re-enter school after a mental health crisis - The Hechinger Report - February 9, 2020
How can Iowa continually turn their heads from helping small public schools... - Corydon Times - February 3, 2020
Talks about School Based Tele-Health Services for Rural Students' Mental Health Needs - Raccoon Valley Radio
Nurse Practitioner Sees Success with Mental Health Program in Greene County - December 6, 2019
Let's Talk Greene County Mental Health - Part 1 - December 17, 2019
Let's Talk Greene County Mental Health - Part 2 - December 17, 2019
Open Enrollment Has Drained One District. It's Looking to Dissolve - Education Week - December 10, 2019
Osage, Riceville superintendent receives national award for computer science - December 5, 2019 (featuring RSAI Legislative Group Leader, Barb Schwamman) Related Documents: Osage Computer Science Pathway 1 and Osage Computer Science Pathway 2
School district in rural Colorado invites college students to classrooms, hoping they'll return as teachers - CBS News - November 19, 2019
USDA Invests $7.2 Million in Rural Broadband for Iowa and South Dakota Families - USDA - November 15, 2019
USDA Invests $41.6 Million in Rural Broadband for Missouri and Southern Iowa Families - USDA - November 15, 2019
Nearly One in Five U.S. Students Attend Rural Schools, Here's What You Should Know About Them - Education Week - November 7, 2109
Something Special Is Happening in Rural American - New York Times - September 17, 2019
The Latest Threat to School Sports - A Bus Driver Shortage - Forbes - September 25, 2019
Perennial Challenge in Rural Alaska: Getting and Keeping Teachers - EdWeek.org - September 10, 2019
How ESSA Could Complicate Rural Turnarounds - EdWeek.org - September 10, 2019