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Iowa students test above ACT national average
 Iverson's Insights by State Senator Stewart Iverson

Thursday, October 14, 2004
Iowa's 2004 graduating seniors continued their strong showing on the ACT exam, with an average composite score of 22.0, above the national average of 20.9, according to the 2004 national ACT report.

Iowa's national ranking is third behind Wisconsin and Minnesota. Both states had average composite scores of 22.2. Comparisons of ACT composite scores between states are valid only for the 25 states where the ACT is taken by at least 50 percent of high school graduates.

I am proud to say we have some of the greatest students in the country, right here in our local schools. Thanks to our parents, teachers, school board members, bus drivers and school administrators children here in Iowa have a great educational success.

This year we voted to increase funding for the 2004–2005 school years by $109 million dollars and increase aid for the 2005–2006 school year by $104.5 million dollars or a 4% increase. This means that 46% of the State of Iowa budget goes directly to K–12 education. Education is truly Iowa's top priority.

Education is more than just more money, that's why we passed a bill in the Senate last year that would require each child in the 3rd grade to read at grade level before they advance to the next grade. This would help ensure that the kids who fall behind get the help they deserve to advance to the next grade level.

I can be reached at mailto:stewart.iverson@legis.state.ia.us. Of course, you can always call me at home at (515) 852–3350. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you as your State Senator.

Stewart Iverson, Jr.

Senate Majority Leader

Senate District 5