Greetings from Capitol Hill:

Greetings from Capitol Hill:
HF 2413
HF 2413 is a bill that improves the reading proficiency program for Iowa. It changes the wording of the code to consider students with challenges in reading to be “persistently at-risk” rather than “substantially deficient.” It also outlines a plan to help determine which students are persistently at-risk at the end of third grade. Currently, reading proficiency is being determined by using a 60-second reading test which measures speed and accuracy. Other mechanisms are allowed for in law, but those methods are being neglected. HF 2413 codifies the use of multiple factors to assess whether a student is deficient in reading, including multiple reading exams instead of one. Many times, children are fluent in reading but struggle with speed, a factor that must be accounted for when considering holding a child back at the end of third grade. HF 2413 also implements an intensive summer reading program for students who are determined to be persistently at-risk. Our hope is to help these children obtain proficiency through the summer reading program. Students who complete the summer reading program will not have to repeat the third grade. HF 2413 passed the House on March 7 by a vote of 97-0. If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, HF 2413 will go into effect in the spring of 2017.
HF 2392
HF 2392 is a bill that improves and updates the structure for career and technical education in Iowa K-12 school districts. Under this bill schools will be required to work with students starting in eighth grade to develop an education plan that could include career and technical training if the student is inclined towards jobs in those fields. HF 2392 organizes the plan to allow students to participate in career and technical training in high school in collaboration with community colleges in the area. The purpose of this bill is to encourage students who would prefer to attend a technical school rather than a four-year college by allowing them to start receiving that training in high school. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that some level of education beyond high school is necessary to earn a living wage in our society. That being said, I believe there are many jobs that can provide a good living while requiring less than four years of higher education and I am highly in favor of community colleges that provide an excellent education to individuals seeking such careers. HF 2392 passed the House on March 3 by a vote of 96-0.
Upcoming Forums:
March 25: Forest City forum: Waldorf University, Salveson ballroom at 8:30 a.m.; Lake Mills forum: The Mills Theater at 10 a.m.; and, Buffalo Center forum: Heritage town center at 11:30 a.m.
County Conventions:
This coming Saturday, March 12, the various counties in the 7th District will be hosting conventions in preparation for the election year. I plan to attend these conventions to speak as a candidate for State Representative. Below are the times and locations of the county conventions: Emmet County Convention: Iowa Lakes Community College (300 S. 18th St, Estherville Iowa)—9 a.m.; Kossuth County Convention: Burt Community Center (400 1st. St, Burt Iowa)—9 a.m.; and, Winnebago County Convention: Waldorf College, Odvin Hagen Music Hall (106 S 6th St, Forest City)—9 a.m.
Sincerely, Rep. Tedd Gassman
Rep. Gassman is on the Environmental Protection, Labor, and Local Government Committees, and serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Committee. He also serves on the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee. His district includes Emmet County, Winnebago County, and the northern parts of Kossuth County, including Algona. You can contact him at tedd.gassman@legis.iowa.gov.