Thread: IA-Narcisse lays out, strategy to change education in Iowa

Narcisse lays out his strategy to change education in Iowa
By MELISSA WALKER • mewalker@dmreg.com • September 17, 2009

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The day after his term on the Des Moines school board ended, Jonathan Narcisse announced a "call to action" to solve what he claims are fraudulent practices in reporting of state education data and an end to using taxpayer money to educate children who are illegal immigrants.

The issues are among 10 that Narcisse said are part of a plan he has to change the way Iowa's education system operates.

On Wednesday, Narcisse cited a recent report on Iowa schools and districts "in need of assistance" as the reason reform is needed. The report named schools that failed to meet test performance standards as directed by the No Child Left Behind law. The federal law has led school officials to change the way they teach students, which has led to less education and more training for test-takers, he said.


He said he will launch a campaign in October that will include meetings in each of Iowa's 99 counties.

His overall proposal is called "An Iowa Worth Fighting For." He said several people, some of whom are involved in education, are part of the group.

The meetings are the first step in the "bold reforms" that must take place to improve education in Iowa, Narcisse said. One of those changes, he said, would be no longer following the No Child Left Behind law.

A move to pull the state out of the law would mean the loss of millions of dollars in federal money that would affect thousands of students, said Elaine Watkins-Miller, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Education.

Among the things Narcisse wants changed are:

• The way the number of enrolled students is counted, along with graduation and dropout rates.

Watkins-Miller said the state's student identification number system provides accurate reporting and school districts verify that their information is accurate.

• Using public money to pay for the education of children who are illegal immigrants. Narcisse said private entities or churches could pay for these children's education.

"We absolutely as a state have to challenge the assumption that we have to provide academic services to a student who is illegally in this country," he said.

Watkins-Miller said based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision, "we cannot ask them questions about their immigration status" and are required to provide education to these students.

• A new superintendent structure in the state and firing of "bureaucrats."

• A return to small-town school districts.

Narcisse has pledged to find opponents to run against any legislator or gubernatorial candidate who does not sign on to his plan. He said some legislators have shown interest in his ideas. He did not provide names.



http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... 1/SPORTS09

Love it! They are right, why should tax payers pay for anchors?

I hope he is VERY SUCCESSFUL!

Hey...this guy actually has a pair! Hopefully he'll keep them intact and not be neutered by the pressures to remain politically correct.

We have absolutely got to redefine the 14th Amendment, ASAP! At this point in time, it is evident that everyone's immigration status be questioned, especially since we are going beyond broke providing for the illegals.
Next thing you know, some nut will be suing that schools requiring immunization certificates are invading privacy or some such nonsense.

Quote:
"• Using public money to pay for the education of children who are illegal immigrants. Narcisse said private entities or churches could pay for these children's education."

This would be an excellent idea if churches, through their tax-exempt "charities", did not themselves receive U.S. government funding which then often goes to assist illegal aliens. If these churches also "paid for education of illegal aliens", I'm afraid it would turn out to be just adding a third party to help "recycle" taxpayer education dollars.

Prominent among church charities receiving U.S federal dollars are both Catholic and Lutheran Charities.

His other ideas sound terrific.

• Using public money to pay for the education of children who are illegal immigrants. Narcisse said private entities or churches could pay for these children's education.

I like it. Why should taxpayers pay for their education?