Americans for Autism Advocacy supports Governor Reynolds Proposal to allow Flexibility for Special Needs Providers in Iowa’s Schools

Governor Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) proposed reforms to Iowa’s Area Educational Agencies (AEA’s) that would allow for private providers to provide critical special educational services such as applied behavioral analysis (ABA).  The proposed legislation would improve access to special education services to Iowa families that need help.

Iowa Capital Dispatch reported on February 14, 2024 relating to the movement of the proposals authored by Governor Reynolds.  The proposal would offer one of three options to improve service delivery: outsource the services to independent providers, have another area educational agency provide services, or work with other school districts to hire providers.

Why AFAA Supports Governor Reynolds Plan to Improve Special Education Services in The Hawkeye State:

1. A report by Guidehouse found Iowa spends $5,331 per pupil on special education but test scores fall below the national averages.  Iowa is spending money with very little results to show.  Special education students in Iowa are scoring 40 points below other Iowa students on English arts and math.  This poor performance is not what Iowa taxpayers expect for their educational dollars.

2. Iowa has failed to meet federal standards for the last two years on special educational outcomes which is unacceptable.  Iowa is one of thirteen states placed in the “needs assistance” category of federal monitoring relating to special education.  Families of special needs students in Iowa deserve much better from the Iowa Department of Education that oversees the special education program in all of the state’s public schools.