Governor Reynolds’ vision for education is simple and straightforward: relentlessly focus the system on the reason it exists — our students. This year, Governor Reynolds plans to advance these efforts by providing a cell phone-free environment during instructional time, requiring a basic understanding of civics, improving teacher and student supports in math, and ensuring preschool providers and the child care industry are working together to provide a continuum of all-day care.
GOV. REYNOLDS PROPOSES:
- Restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time
- Addressing crucial gaps in math and civics education
- Creating a pathway for a continuum of all-day care for four-year-olds
- Strengthening the child care workforce
- Facilitating parental choice beginning in preschool
- Improving the quality of preschool standards
- Making technical improvements based on feedback from Iowa’s school superintendents
Cell Phones in Schools
With digital distractions at an all-time high, Governor Reynolds wants to ensure that Iowa’s classrooms maintain environments where focus, learning, and productivity can truly thrive. According to the Pew Research Center, 7 in 10 U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distractions are a “major problem” in their classroom.
Governor Reynolds believes Iowa’s students deserve the opportunity to learn free from the distraction of personal electronic devices. This isn’t about limits, it’s about opportunities. Our students should have the freedom to be fully engaged in their education.
A large number of Iowa’s school districts have already done the hard work to address the problem. Last fall, the Ottumwa Community School District adopted a “bell to bell” policy requiring that kids put their phone away for the entire school day. Since then, they have seen some incredible changes in their 8th-12th graders with a 56% decrease in physical aggression as well as a 52% reduction in classroom-managed behaviors. This year’s freshman class decreased their behavior referrals by 67% as compared to the fall of their 8th grade year.
Not all schools have adopted the same policy. Others have opted to permit personal electronic devices during non-instructional time only. While Governor Reynolds encourages districts to develop policies that best fit their needs, she is proposing a statewide “floor” of personal electronic device-free instructional time in K-12 public schools.
To support school districts, the Department of Education (DE) will provide sample policies for the Governor’s instructional time only “floor” as well as for “bell to bell” elimination of personal electronic devices. Additionally, the Governor’s proposal will ensure school safety plans are updated to reflect these new policies and will require “effects of social media” training for all 6th-8th grade public school students.
Math Counts
Iowa employers need future graduates with strong math and problem-solving skills. Key industries in our state like agriculture, insurance, and advanced manufacturing rely heavily on employees with STEM backgrounds who are ready to step into these fields.
Governor Reynolds’ proposal addresses critical gaps in math education by:
- Promoting early identification, progress monitoring, and evidence-based intervention
- Supporting teachers with additional training and professional development
- Providing resources for families to advance children's math development at home
Civics Education
Civics education is an important part of preparing our students to be responsible citizens. The Governor is therefore proposing a requirement that all high school graduates pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Naturalization Test.
Education Improvements
After in-person discussions with superintendents from over 150 public school districts across the state, Governor Reynolds is proposing an education bill to make technical improvements in direct response to their suggestions and concerns. The Governor’s bill includes requirements to:
- Reinstate the TeachIowa platform for all education related job postings
- Create a risk pool to reimburse Iowa’s public school districts for costs incurred serving our students who require out-of-state placements
- Provide that an educator who has retired and is subsequently re-employed as a teacher by an IPERS-covered employer can be paid $50,000 as a year-one educator
Learn about the Governor's child care priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
