Changing AEAs is wrong mission

As a retired public school teacher, I am shocked at our governor's mission to undo the AEAs in our state! Whether we revamp the regional agencies or hire private companies to do their work, it is the wrong decision!

The present AEAs provide numerous services to classroom teachers and their students. To name only a few, there are students with special needs and the psychologists and therapists that they may require.

Might I add that these experts work with preschoolers in both public schools and private entities through the AEA? There are no restrictions. Their needs are met by the AEAs.

In addition to the special needs students, the AEAs also help by providing enrichment activities for all students, multiple copies of books and other teaching materials for classes, and they sponsor classes and workshops for teachers after school and during the summer.

Please remember that the "low test scores" mentioned by the governor are an ambiguous reason for wanting to revamp or even eliminate the AEAs.

"Low test scores" as compared to what? Another special needs student in a different state? This is a vague and confusing reason for the governor's decision.

We need to remember that we are comparing students with differing abilities here! Keep in mind the comparison of apples to oranges. It doesn't usually work!

My family is a teaching family. Between my husband, my sister, my brother, and myself, we have a total of 157 years of teaching in Iowa.

Three of us are retired now, but I have a son and a nephew who are present-day teachers, so we are kept up to date on the help provided by the AEAs in today's classrooms.

I speak for all of us when I urge you to vote Democrat as we elect our state representatives and senators in the coming election!

Judy Huxford

Marengo, Iowa