Friday News Roundup

It’s Friday! Time for the News Roundup.

New Iowa Teachers Made Some of the Lowest Salaries in 2023-24. When Will Raises Start? (Des Moines Register)

According to the Des Moines Register last week,

“Iowa teachers were paid some of the lowest starting wages in the country, according to a new report based on data before the state passed legislation raising pay.”

“A new report from the National Education Association tracking starting teacher pay ranked Iowa near the bottom of states for the 2023-24 school year.”

“Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds made increasing teacher pay one of her priorities during her 2024 Condition of the State address. Legislation passed that year will raise starting wages to $50,000 for the 2025-26 school year and required increases for experienced teachers…”

…

“Iowa ranked 46^th out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for starting teacher pay. The average starting salary for teachers across the U.S. was $46,526, putting Iowa below the national average for the 2023-25 school year.”

Low teacher pay was the reason I went to Texas to teach. Back in 1984, while an Iowa teacher made on average $16,000 a year, Texas school districts were signing new teachers for $20,000.

It seems like states like Iowa were behind then, and they continue to lag now.

Some 300 West Virginia School Vaccine Exemptions Granted Under New, Laxer Policy (The 74)

The 74 reported earlier this week that,

“Just over 330 requests for religious and philosophical exemptions to West Virginia’s school vaccine policy have been submitted – and approved – for this school year and 35 have been granted for the coming year, according to records obtained by The 74.”

“The newly approved religious and philosophical exemptions already outpace the 203 permanent medical exemptions granted in the state over the past decade, at one time the only exemptions allowed in West Virginia.”

“Before January, when Governor Patrick Morrisey signed an executive order opening the door for broader exemptions, the state had some of the nation’s strictest childhood vaccination policies.”

I don’t remember having the option of not getting vaccinated if I was going to attend the public school. Public health should be a priority over personal choice every day, every way.

What 100 Education Department Investigations Say About Trump’s Agenda for Schools (EducationWeek)

EducationWeek reported this week that,

“The U.S. Department of Education has announced or confirmed at least 100 investigations into school districts, colleges and universities, and other entities as it emerges as a prime enforcer of President Donald Trump’s social agenda, according to an Education Week analysis.”

“Through these probes, the department is using its investigative power and threats to withhold funding to crack down on transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ sports; diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and antisemitism.”

According to the latest NAEP (National Assessment of Education Progress) data, 70% of U.S. fourth graders do not read at grade level. Maybe the Trump administration should issue an executive order to fix that.

That’s the Friday News Roundup for May 30^th. Til Monday. SVB