Last spring, the Iowa legislature passed SF 2284, requiring a new “standardized test” OR a new “performance
test” for all candidates seeking an Iowa license. As of September 18, 2012, all teacher education programs in
the State were notified that as of Jan 1, 2013 all candidates must take one of 30 content tests and a
pedagogy test at a cost of more than $250, and that both tests must be passed above the 25th percentile.
This means as many as 25% of graduating candidates will pay money to fail a test inserted into their last year
of study and for which they have had little opportunity to prepare.
Let us be very clear. Teacher education programs are not passing the buck on quality. In fact, Iowa’s
programs applaud the concern for maintaining and improving the quality of our Iowa teachers. We are and
have been required to demonstrate the effectiveness of our graduates since legislation passed in 2000
required all institutions to demonstrate the proficiency of their graduates.
As such, we ask you…
Is this testing process the best measure of your teaching abilities?
How well does it reflect the past 2 – 4 years of your education and
practicum work?
How much of a burden has or will the expenses of these additional
tests place on you?
How reasonable is it for the State to impose upon you a high stakes test that
establishes an arbitrary cut score without consideration of impact (additional expense or denied a
license)?
Does responding to the need for knowledgeable teachers with high-stake standardized testing
requirements seem logical, knowing the state recently (2007) added additional course requirements as
a strategy for improving content preparation of candidates and has yet to evaluate the success of this
requirement?
There is still time to rethink the strategy of using standardized tests as the key criteria for licensure. Contact a
member of the Iowa Administrative Rules Review Committee ASAP! Let them hear your voice! Iowa has had
a tradition of local control, highly effective teachers, and intelligent use of standardized tests.
Share your thoughts on this new testing requirement and ask the Administrative Rules Review
Committee to enact a session delay on ARC 0299C. This would allow the General Assembly to delay
implementation of the Praxis II rule and:
Phase in new requirements (not rush them on Jan 1st) to allow time for students to prepare for new
requirements and for institutions to develop support for student success.
Waive the cut score for one year to provide data based on evidence rather than picking a number
guaranteeing failure of candidates who could be very effective in the classroom.
Modify the administrative rules to provide the option of a performance test OR standardized test as
written in the law. Not both.
Weigh carefully the consequences of high stakes testing and consider issues of quality and equity to all
candidates.
Email, write or call our Iowa legislators NOW! FINAL DECSIONS ON THESE RULES WILL BE MADE AS EARLY
AS DECEMBER 19TH!
Session delay on ARC 0299C!
Our legislators were sent to Des Moines to do what’s right for Iowa’s
future, especially the future of Iowa’s students and teachers. Share with
them the very best of what you know about the preparation and measures
of a quality teacher in Iowa.
Contact a Member of the Administrative Rule Review Committee:
Senate Members
wally.horn@legis.iowa.gov
Wally E. Horn
101 Stoney Point Rd SW, Cedar
(D, District 17), Chair
Rapids, IA 52404
Merlin Bartz
(R, District 6) NOTE:
merlin.bartz@legis.iowa.gov
not re-elected done
2081 - 410th St, Grafton, IA 50440
1/13
House Members
dawn.pettengill@legis.state.ia.us
Dawn E. Pettengill
P.O. Box A, Mount Auburn IA,
(R, District 39), Vice Chair
52313
David E. Heaton
(R, District 91)
dave.heaton@legis.iowa.gov
510 E. Washington St., Mt
Pleasant IA, 52641
Thomas G. Courtney
(D, District 44)
thomas.courtney@legis.iowa.gov
2609 Clearview, Burlington, IA, 52601
Jo Oldson
(D, District 61)
jo.oldson@legis.iowa.gov
4004 Grand #302, Des Moines IA,
50312
John P. (Jack) Kibbie
(D, District 4)
john.kibbie@legis.iowa.gov
112 Oakwood, P.O. Box 190
Emmetsburg IA, 50536
Rick Olson
(D, District 68)
rick.olson@legis.iowa.gov
James A. Seymour
(R, District 28)
james.seymour@legis.iowa.gov
901 White St, Woodbine IA, 51579
Guy Vander Linden
(R, District 75)
guy.vanderlinden@legis.iowa.gov
1610 Carbonado Road, Oskaloosa
IA, 52577
Find your local legislator:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/find.aspx
www.iowacte.org