Iowa House Passes Ambitious Education Reform, with Little Democratic Support

So the Iowa House has passed its education reform, prompted on by the reform plan of Governor Terry Branstad. What remains to be seen is if there is an education reform package that will pass the Senate, with its slight Democratic majority, that meet the approval of the governor.

Jason Noble of the Des Moines Register reports that the vote split along party lines in the house, with no Democrats supporting the bill and seven Republicans voting against it as well.

Supporters of the bill said it was a statement of progress for change of education in the state. Iowa City Rep. Mary Mascher continued her opposition to it.

The chamber’s minority doesn’t oppose change, said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, but seeks something different than the bill advanced this year.

“Democrats strongly believe in strengthening our educational system. We support true education reform,” Mascher said. “However, change for change’s sake is not reform.”

Mascher and other Democrats mentioned that they liked some elements of the reform package, but couldn't vote yes for it as it was.

You can read more about the proposed reforms .