Iowa Association of Christian Schools
The Public Policy Voice of Iowa's Protestant, Christ-Centered Schools.
By IACS
New this year to the IACS website is a bill tracking feature as part of our “Action Center” section available on the right side of each page.
Just click on the Action Center link from anywhere on our website and then click on “View Key Legislation” to see a selection of bills we are working on. Although it doesn’t include every bill we are following, it will give you an idea of the kinds of legislation IACS is tracking and working on.
Please contact us with questions!
By IACS
03/20/2020 Update – The US. Dept. of Education has its COVID-19 resources page up. The state of Iowa now has its own Coronavirus general landing page up with lots of resources.
03/19/2020 – Childcare Resources: COVID-19 DHS Resources Page and the latest DHS childcare-specific guidance page.
03/18/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Education put out new guidance yesterday dealing with IDEA questions and how they impact AEAs, districts, and nonpublic schools. Updates from Fisher Phillips law firm on FMLA and paid sick leave changes.
03/16/2020 Update – Governor Reynolds has announced assistance for employees and employers affected by COVID-19 related layoffs. Additionally, the Dept. of Education has released new guidance, including information on distance learning affecting state accredited nonpublic schools.
3/15/2020 Update 2 – The Governor has released a statement and video encouraging Iowa schools to close for four weeks to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. IACS is working with member schools to help determine the next steps. Public Health has released a statement too. Here is the latest Dept. of Ed. guidance.
3/15/2020 Update – “Community Spread” confirmed in Iowa. The IDPH has released further guidance based on this new development. The Iowa Legislature is now suspended for 30 days. We are not sure how this will affect the current status of bills or the schedule moving forward. Additional school districts are extending Spring Break but no new guidance is available. Check back here frequently!
3/13/2020 Update – The CDC released guidance on considerations for school closures. The Iowa Department of Education also released guidance on coronavirus for PK-12 this afternoon.
3/12/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Public Health has released updated guidance on their website. Also, there is a specific guidance document for schools released today.
Many educators and parents are wondering how the recent outbreak(s) of COVID-19 affect Iowa’s schools and students. Although risk in Iowa is currently low, there are many things we can be doing to minimize risk and add to preparedness. There are many resources available online. We suggest sticking to trusted, verifiable sources when researching COVID-19 and planning your response. Below is a list of resources from State and Federal organizations.
Iowa Department of Public Health – Emerging Health Issues (Novel Coronavirus): Includes updates on Iowa cases and a “For Schools” section.
We have another post devoted to Centers For Disease Control links that may impact or have helpful information for your school.
Please let IACS know if you have questions or we can help track down information for you.
By IACS
As a supporter of Christian education and school choice, we know you believe that all parents, regardless of address or income, deserve education choices that reflect academic goals and faith. The Iowa Association of Christian Schools supports an increase in the amount of the School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credits available to donors who make scholarships to lower and middle income families possible.
Last year, changes were made to ensure scholarships are available to nonpublic school families whose income is up to four times the federal poverty level. This was up from three times the federal poverty level previously. These scholarships enable parents to choose the school that best fits their child’s learning needs but the change in demographics eligible makes our call to increase the number of tax credits all the more urgent.
Currently $13 million in tax credits are available to donors and we are asking the legislature to increase that to at least $17 million in coming years. Our goal has been $20 million for a number of years but House and Senate proposals have been introduced and we want to support the larger number currently found in the Iowa Senate’s proposal.
Both the House and the Senate versions of a tax bill include an increase in the STO tax credits among a number of other tax-related topics. Senate File 631 includes a $4 million increase for a total of $17 million. If all tax credits were expended, that would raise about $26 million for scholarships. House File 779 includes a $1 million increase.
The Iowa Department of Revenue estimates this program saves the state at least $12 million a year because the students don’t attend a public school that would cost the state more money. The state does not write any checks for these scholarships as the money raised is private and the tax credits are a complete and separate discussion from public school funding. The session is in its final days and we are hopeful, with your help, we can get this increase over the finish line!
Please send your legislators a message in support of an increase in School Tuition Organization tax credits. Use the personal story box to add a personal story, communicate your desire for more children to have access to your school’s atmosphere/programing, or provide a general greeting or anecdote. Then, please read through the suggested message that will be included in the body of your email to your Rep and Senator and customize it to ensure they get as many uniquely written messages as possible. Thank you!
IACS
By IACS
One of the primary roles of parents is to be involved in and direct the formal education of their children. There are many ways to accomplish this but those without the income to access more than one option lack that basic, fundamental right. The best way we know how to ensure every parent has access to what is best for their child is through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). ESAs will allow parents who choose not to enroll their children in a public school to receive a deposit of public funds into a savings account set up by the state. This money could be used by parents for private school tuition and some other education expenses including tutoring, giving parents the ability to customize their child’s education to meet his/her needs.
Iowa has increased public school funding annually, while maintaining school choice programs such as the School Tuition Organization tax credits. IACS supports the state’s commitment to public and non-public education. We are not advocating that parents wanting to utilize a non-public option be given every financial resource available to the public system. We are simply asking that the state allow a portion of those resources to follow the student to ensure every Iowa parent has every available quality option at their disposal.
School choice will not lead to money being “siphoned away from public education and given to private education providers.” No state or local funding for public schools would be diverted to this program. ESAs would be funded by a separate appropriation by the legislature.
Senate File 372 was introduced this week and has passed the Senate Education Committee’s subcommittee. It is now eligible for debate in the full Education Committee. We encourage you to contact members of the Senate Education Committee and Senate leadership in support of an ESA program which would be accessible to as many parents as possible. Rewrite the sample message in your own words and keep your comments positive.
Thank you for your willingness to engage on this issue!
By IACS
Our IACS January 2019 Newsletter is out! There are a few events to pencil in on your calendar and we have an overview on the legislature and our areas of focus for the year!