The final version of the HHS Budget bill was negotiated by legislators in the final hours and days of the session and does not move the ball forward, but instead hands the issue off to the Governor’s Office.  The bill requires the Governor’s office to authorize funding for each abortion consistent with options under federal law.  There are, on average, 25 of these abortions in Iowa each year.  We are still unsure how this changes current practice in the Department of Human Services.  We will have to wait and see how the Governor’s Office responds to these requests for reimbursement.

We are disappointed that this legislature did not end taxpayer funding of abortion this year.  We are also disappointed that our webcam abortion legislation was halted during the first funnel deadline.  We will not give up on these issues.  Many of our pro-life friends in the House and Senate did the best they could to advance these issues and made valiant efforts to block this funding of abortions.  We are grateful for their heart and conviction!

Iowa Right to Life is already working on a strategy for the next legislative session and we will continue to keep the issue of webcam abortion front and center.  With impersonal, dangerous and irresponsible practices like this starting in Iowa, it is our responsibility to end it here as soon as possible.

Please join us this summer in engaging your legislators.  We are more resolute than ever to apply as much pressure as it takes next legislative session to make tangible progress for the unborn. Watch for our newsletters and updates.  We’ll be doing many things in the coming months to pave the way for success at the Capitol as we move forward.

Photo Credit: Sarah Brooks

The post Iowa Right to Life: Battle Against Abortion Is Far From Over appeared first on Caffeinated Thoughts.

Thank you, Madame President.

As I said on the opening day of this session, I am proud and honored to stand here today and address my fellow legislators and Iowans.

I am particularly proud of the historic property tax reform we passed in this body today. We made good on a promise that has been repeatedly made to Iowa taxpayers.

Over the coming years, the property taxes on all Iowans will be reduced by more than a half a billion dollars. That money remaining in the pockets of Iowa small businesses and families will help create jobs and expand opportunities for people to decide how to invest and spend their hard earned dollars. I assure you, they will make good decisions and our great state will flourish.

We also did the right thing by spending less money than we take in. That is the only way to be responsible to the very taxpayers who pay the bills government incurs. We must continue on this prudent path. It is important for Iowa businesses and families to grow, not for government to grow beyond its means.

Is there more to do? Yes.

I hope we can more aggressively pursue a future agenda of expanding the Taxpayer Trust Fund and return even more of the overpayment of taxes to the taxpayers instead of growing government. Every dollar comes from and belongs to Iowa taxpayers, after all. We owe them accountability and control of their incomes.

I trust our actions this year have been guided by what we believe is best for all Iowans. I know we can do even better and have greater success in setting Iowa on a prosperous course.

To quote Margaret Thatcher:

“What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose.”

I suggest we know we have done well, but have not done enough. Let’s return with a certain sense of purpose next year to do even more to free all Iowans to decide for themselves what to do with their hard earned dollars. Given that freedom, they will create jobs, improve the lives of their families, and make Iowa a truly great place to grow.

Let’s make it happen.

Originally posted at the Iowa Senate Republicans website.

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8:43p – Matt Whitaker, U.S. Senate Candidate, is up.  We need to send somebody to Washington, DC to hold President Obama accountable…. who else than the prosecutor who prosecuted CITEC?  We need to do something, not just talk.  He also was the target of an audit after applying for Iowa Supreme Court and discuss what the proper role of the courts, and helping several conservative groups get set up as 501(c)(4) organizations.

8:41p – Schultz: Started a new program last Memorial Day – Honor a Veteran With Your Vote.  You can go to http://sos.iowa.gov and click on Honor a Veteran in order to participate.

8:40p – Schultz: Considering the run because it is personal for me, thinking of his kids.  He is concerned about this country.  He will make his decision soon, but it will be a tough decision because he loves his job.

8:37p – Secretary of State Matt Schultz: You would have thought that when I defeated a popular incumbent on a message of voter integrity Democrats would have gotten the message that Iowans want Voter ID.  71% of Iowans want voter ID.  Schultz said he is considering a run for U.S. Senate.

8:36p – Northey: We have gone from a $40 billion food stamp program to a $80 billion food stamp program… the gridlock over the farm bill has been over a small cut in that program which has ballooned.  It’s big government run amok.  We need to send a conservative Senator to join Grassley in 2014 and a conservative from the 1st Congressional District

8:34p – Northey: If Iowa was a country we’d be the 4th largest corn-producing country in the world, and that was last year with a drought.

8:32p – Northey: Frustrating Spring for farmers… we went from drought to flooding in 15 minutes.

8:31p – Lt. Gov. introduces Bill Northey, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture

8:30p – Mosiman: Auditor’s office impacts everybody - transparency, consistency in budgeting practices.

8:29p – Mosiman: This is an office worth fighting for… doing the job and keeping the job.

8:28p – Lt. Gov. Reynolds introduces Mary Mosiman Iowa’s new State Auditor.

8:27p – Latham: lack of leadership from President Obama, leading from behind.  Washington is rudderless.  We need to make a change and flip the Senate.

8:24p – Congressman Latham wanted to remind people what this Memorial Day weekend is about and we need to honor the sacrifice that was made for our freedoms.  He also thanked the volunteers who helped him retire Congressman Leonard Boswell… they came within 4000 votes in Polk County even though it is a Democratic stronghold.  Next time he said they’ll win a big majority.

8:24p – Introducing Congressman Tom Latham

8:22p – Lt. Gov. Reynolds back up honoring elected officials in the room.  Former Governor Robert Ray is here… Senator Grassley couldn’t be here.  She made note that GOP need to send somebody who will vote with him in the Senate in 2014.

8:21p – Governor Scott Walker has concluded his remarks and received a standing ovation.

8:20p – Walker: What has made America great, in moments of crisis, people stood up and though more about their children and grandchildren’s future than they thought of their political office or status.

8:19p – Walker: Founders – ordinary people who did something extraordinary.  They risked their lives for the freedoms we have today.

8:16p – Walker: We need to encourage candidates to be more optimistic, more relevant and more courageous.  I am optimistic about the future.  We are bigger than just one election.  We can still turn this around.

8:14p – Walker: When Democrats push welfare they are taking away freedom.  We need to push true prosperity and freedom.  ”We celebrate the Fourth of July instead of April 15th because we celebrate independence from the government.”

8:11p – Walker: Want to make sure people who are on welfare are equipped and ready to take a job that becomes available.  Obama and Democrats: measure success by how many people are on welfare, we should measure success by how many people are not.  Welfare shouldn’t be a hand out, but a help up – experience the dignity of work.  Nobody grows up saying, “hey I want to be dependent on the government.”

8:09p – Walker: Required work pr employment training to stay on welfare.

8:08p – Walker: Courage – we need to push for entitlement reform.  ”What I call moving from government dependence to true independence.”

8:07p – Walker: We need to go where we typically not expected to go.  It is assumed that we don’t care if we are not there.

8:06p – Walker: When he was a county executive the only Republican to win three times in Milwaukee County.  He won a majority in every Hispanic ward – championed small businesses and choice in education.  We need to share a message of opportunity.

8:05p – Walker: Relevance means going to where people are at.

8:05p – Walker: We want every kid to have access to a great education no matter what zip code they live in.

8:04p – Walker: In our schools we can hire and fire based on merit, and pay based on performance.

8:02p – Walker – Relevance – people want to hear people who speak in terms that are relevant to them, not Washington speak.

8:01p – Won by a larger margin with more votes on June 5th, 2012 than they did in November 2012.  Wisconsin residents saw the facts.

7:59p – Walker: After reforms were talking place, they started to see “We Stand With Walker” homemade signs crop up all over the state.

7:57p – Walker: Told GOP in Wisconsin after 2010 election, “If we end up being just a little bit less bad than the Democrats, the voters will have a right to throw us out of here.”

7:55p – Walker: We had a 3.5 Billion deficit, and now they have a 1/2 billion dollar surplus that they can give back in tax cuts.

7:54p – Walker: We can’t just run on a referendum on failure, GOP needs to present a positive vision.

7:53p – States need to lead the way.  2014 & 2016 we need optimism, relevance and courage – those are the keys to victory.

7:51p – Walker: Unemployment numbers in states led by GOP governors is 1% lower on average than states led by Democratic governors.  The best states to do business 19 of the top 20 are states led by GOP governors.

7:49p – Walker: Quotes Reagan: “It is important to remember that the federal government did not create the states, the states created the federal government.”

7:47p – Lived in Plainfield, IA in the 7os, his dad was the pastor at First Baptist Church there.

7:46p – Walker: Appreciated Iowans prayers most of all during recall election.

7:45p – Walker: 70% of donors during recall gave $50 or less.

7:44p – Walker: Two people he respects the most – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Utah Gov. Gary Heubert.

7:41p – Walker: I’m the only governor who has been elected twice in the same term.

7:39p – Branstad: Walker took on the public unions and said unions said “if this can happen in Wisconsin it can happen anywhere!”  Won recall election with a wider margin.

7:38p – Branstad introduces Governor Scott Walker.

7:36p – Branstad: Tax surplus “didn’t happen by accident.” Inherited shortfall from Culver, spent less than taking in every year.  In stark contrast to what is going on in Minnesota and Illinois.

7:35p – Branstad: “I think the American people are becoming more and more aware of all the hidden taxes and fees” in Obamacare.  Creating Iowa specific plan.

7:34p – Branstad: Touts “transformational educational reform” – mentions homeschoolers and private schoolers.  He wants Iowa to be the best in the nation in education once again.

7:33p – Branstad: Property tax reduction will help stimulate jobs.  There is also income tax reduction.  This is the type of stimulus that Iowans need.

7:32p – Branstad: Touting property tax reform, education reform and being the “healthiest state in the nation.”  These were advanced this year Branstad said.

7:30p – Branstad: Welcomes Scott Walker “my friend and neighbor.”  Walker one of 30 GOP governors who are charter a course of fiscal responsibility and job growth across the country.  The states governed by GOP governors are balancing budget and seeing job growth.

7:29p – Reynolds introduces Gov. Terry Branstad.

7:28p – Reynolds: If we keep Polk County competitive we win the state.

7:27p – Lt. Gov. Reynolds – an honor to serve as emcee tonight and to serve as Lt. Gov.

7:26p – Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is up… the person who introduced her butchered the name of her hometown – Osceola.

7:22p – Dinner smells good, I’m getting hungry.  Unfortunately for me, but not for you – I’m at the media table….  don’t feed the hungry journalists (or in my case, I’m just a blogger).  It can be hazardous.

7:19p – Here’s a Wisconsin joke for you which I appreciate as a Hawkeye fan.

Q: If you have a car containing a Badgers wide receiver, a Badgers linebacker, and a Badgers defensive back, who is driving the car? A: The cop.

7:18p – Sutton: The Robb Kelley Club is the main fundraising organization for Polk County Republicans and has become one of the best fundraising organizations in the state.  (I agree).

7:16p – Pastor Claire Rudison gave the invocation, dinner is served.  Ken Sutton welcomes everyone said the program will go on while dinner is being eaten because “our intention is to get you out of here before the next election.”

7:13p – Opened up with the Pledge and we’re off…. over 800 tickets were sold.

7:11p – Still waiting on the program… anyone know any good Wisconsin jokes?

7:07p and they’re trying – unsuccessfully – to start the program.

7:04p – Just chatted with Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa… will people after hearing Governor Walker speak suddenly drink the “Scott Walker” kool aid?  Perhaps, it seems like some people like latching onto a candidate early.  I prefer to actually see who is going to run first before I make my decision.  How about you?

6:43p – I’m live blogging the Polk County Republican Party of Iowa’s 4th Annual Robb Kelley Dinner.  The keynote speaker is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  They are expecting 1000 people here at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines.  This is a huge “get” for the Polk County Republicans, and I believe their largest fundraiser to date.

With Governor Walker being here in Iowa pre-2016 that of course fuels speculation that he will run for President.  From what I’ve heard in different interviews he has had he’s focused on reelection right now.  From this Iowans perspective due to his record of reform, taking on the unions, actually accomplishing what he said he would do (go figure!), and winning by a larger margin in his recall election than he did when first elected – he would be an intriguing candidate.

Be sure to refresh your browser for updates throughout the night.

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This is a big win.  Here’s the specific language below:

(2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), for the school year beginning July 1, 2016, and each succeeding school year, the rules shall provide that all students enrolled in school districts in grades three through eleven shall be administered an assessment during the last quarter of the school year that at a minimum assesses the indicators identified in this paragraph “b”; is aligned with the Iowa common core standards in both content and rigor; accurately describes student achievement and growth for purposes of the school, the school district, and state accountability systems; and provides valid, reliable, and fair measures of student progress toward college or career readiness.

(3) The director shall establish an assessment task force to review and make recommendations for a statewide assessment of student progress on the indicators identified pursuant to this paragraph “b”. The task force shall recommend a statewide assessment that is aligned to the Iowa common core standards and is, at a minimum, valid, reliable, tested, and piloted in Iowa. In addition, in developing recommendations, the task  force shall consider the costs to school districts and the state in providing and administering such an assessment and the technical support necessary to implement the assessment. The task force shall submit its recommendations in a report to the director, the state board, and the general assembly by January 1, 2015. The task force shall assist with the final development and implementation of the assessment administered pursuant to subparagraph (2). The task force members shall include but not be limited to teachers, school administrators, business leaders, representatives of state agencies, and members of the general public. This subparagraph is repealed July 1, 2020.

Needless to say, I am thrilled with this development!  Thank you to the members of the conference committee who removed the original language.  Obviously there is work yet to be done, but this is a good start for Iowa.

HT: Education in Iowa

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“This historic legislation will enable Iowa small businesses to create jobs and Iowa families to keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Iowa Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock).

“Iowa is a great place to grow. Yesterday afternoon we helped make it an even better place to grow jobs and opportunities for all Iowans.”

The new property tax relief package rolls back commercial property taxes to 90%, and residential and agricultural property taxes to 3% growth valuation. It also gives a dramatic cut to apartment complexes and assisted living facilities. Finally, the bill keeps the Property Assessment and Appeals Board in place for another five years, allowing Iowans a taxpayer-friendly alternative when appealing their property tax assessments.

Photo credit: 401(K)2013 via Flickr (CC-By-SA 2.0)

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Glass was selected from a pool of six candidates and three finalists in a search conducted by the Colorado Association of School Boards. Glass, and other finalists, Karen Brofft and Don Johnson, interviewed with the school board and two advisory committees on May 16.

“Director Glass has fundamentally raised the bar for education leadership at the state level in Iowa. When you have a visionary state director of education like Director Glass, it’s not surprising that others would want someone of his experience and talent,” said Rosie Hussey, President of the Iowa State Board of Education. “Director Glass has worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork necessary to restore Iowa’s standing as a leader in education and to prepare all students for success after high school. Together with the Governor’s office, Director Glass constructed bold education reform plans that are right for Iowa and are based on lessons learned from the highest-performing education systems in the world.”

The Des Moines Register noted:

Glass has been a key player in Gov. Terry Branstad’s efforts to improve the state’s schools since arriving in Iowa in December 2010. His efforts were a crucial part of the bipartisan education reform bill approved today by state lawmakers. The plan’s centerpiece is a new career pathways structure for K-12 teachers that would cost $160 million annually once fully implemented.

Glass traveled the state to meet with parents and students during his time in Iowa. He also advocated at the Statehouse for higher academic standards and debated the latest education research with friends and foes alike on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

I was one of those “foes” that Glass debated on Twitter, and speaking personally I wish him well in this new chapter of life.  I’ll reiterate what I wrote at Iowans for Local Control when news broke about him being a finalist for this position.

While Director Glass and I haven’t see eye to eye all the time, I do appreciate his approachability and willingness to engage in conversation and debate.  I also appreciate the Department’s approach to the educational liberty items in the current education reform bill.  Under previous leadership with the Culver administration we would have seen the Department lobby against homeschooling and private school measures.  That hasn’t been the case the last two sessions and I credit Director Glass’ and Governor Branstad’s leadership for that.

The Register reports that Governor Branstad’s spokesperson, Tim Albrecht, said that no decision has been made on the process for selecting a new director.

Update: My formal statement at Iowans  for Local Control:

I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to Director Glass in his selection as Superintendent of Eagle County Schools.  He is a top notch candidate and will, I’m sure, be an asset to their school district.  They will find in Glass a Superintendent who is approachable, innovative, and passionate about education.  While I didn’t always see eye to eye with Director Glass on issues like the Common Core State Standards and assessments; I appreciated his willingness to dialogue, his innovative approach to education reform and his willingness to dialogue with those whom he disagreed.

I would like to encourage Governor Branstad to hold a public, transparent search for a successor for Director Glass that includes parents, private and public school educators, and community stakeholders.  Branstad sought a ‘real reformer’ in Glass’ selection, I hope he will continue to think outside the box in his next appointment.  I also ask that Governor Branstad will use this interim time and leadership transition to take a step back and reconsider Iowa’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards, as well as, other standards that will only further centralize education and erode local control.

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In particular was the landmark home education deregulation that sends Iowa from being a state with moderate regulation (3rd tier, only three states have worse laws) to one of the best according to criteria given by the Home School Legal Defense Association.  The specific home education measures approved by the Iowa Legislature are:

• Optional reporting under Competent Private Instruction.  Home schooling families are no longer required to submit Competent Private Instruction forms (CPI) or assessments to their local school district.  They can if they like, but they don’t have to.  Families can still participate in dual enrollment or home school assistance programs (HSAP) if they like.
• Independent Private Instruction – This eliminates annual reporting to the state, but also allows up to four unrelated students to participate in home schooling.
• Parent-taught Drivers Instruction – Parents are no long required to send their children to drivers education, but can teach their children themselves if they prefer.

Bill Gustoff, the Legislative Liaison for the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators, said, “The passage of House File 215 marks the beginning of a new era of home school freedom in Iowa.  Home school parents will be able to teach their children in the one subject that still required certified instruction outside the home – driver education.  It also removes barriers and costs for those desiring to educate their children at home.  Not only does it affirm that parents have a right to oversee the education of their children, but it will now be possible and easier for foster parents, single mothers and fathers, and other modern-day families to use this great educational option.”

Non-public schools also had an important measure that was approved with this bill.

• Independent Accreditation for Non-Public Schools -  This allows a non-public school to seek third party accreditation and still benefit from the school tuition organizations (people who donate get tax credits), transportation reimbursement, textbook reimbursement fund for non-religious text books, AEA support (cost sharing for media, professional developed, etc.).  Prior to this to receive these benefits schools had to be accredited through the Iowa Department of Education which then opened these schools up to mandates – like having to adopt the Iowa Core (which is aligned to the Common Core).  This frees accredited non-public schools from this and other requirements placed upon them by the State.  The Senate Democrats during negotiations did add a seven-year sunset, but I believe it will be renewed as non-public schools will be able to prove that this works.

Brian L”Heureux, President of the Iowa Association of Christian Schools addressed the independent accreditation measure and how it impacts schools he represents, “We are extremely pleased that, after many years of effort and prayers, we were able to see this passed as part of the Education Reform package this year!  Independent Accreditation will allow us to choose the accrediting body that meets the needs of our schools, and will allow us to serve our students with accrediting partners that understand our unique role and mission as Christian non-public schools.  We are blessed to have Eric Goranson as a lobbyist.”

The House Republicans were able to keep all of the provisions they had asked for in negotiations.  In return they agreed to 4% allowable growth in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 school years and raised the minimum salary for teachers to $33,500.

Regardless of those provisions Republicans celebrated the bill.  “The Republican Party of Iowa is proud to have taken a bold stand for our platform in advocating that advancing educational freedom be a non-negotiable part of any discussion of comprehensive education reform,” said A.J. Spiker, Iowa GOP Chair.

Iowa GOP Co-Chair, David Fischer, added, “The Republican Party of Iowa is committed to advancing our conservative principles as reflected in our platform.  Education freedom is a foundational part of our platform and we were proud to play a role in advocating for non-public education alternatives to be made simpler and more affordable for Iowa families.  We know competition and a free market is what rewards excellence and innovation and will result in the best outcomes for Iowa’s kids.”

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Not all Planned Parenthoods offer the same abortions.  The Iowa City  Planned Parenthood clinic advertises abortions up to 21 weeks, 6 days (1 day short of calling it “22″).  That’s further along than Planned Parenthood in Des Moines, which advertises abortions up to 19 weeks, 6 days.

Iowa City is one of Planned Parenthood’s four surgical abortion centers in Iowa (they call them “in-clinic” abortions.)  Planned Parenthood also has 14 locations doing abortions by webcam, where the doctor is not even in the building to examine the woman, before she is given the RU-486 abortion pill cocktail, and then sent home to abort her child. There are also five Planned Parenthoods in Iowa that are “Abortion Referral” sites.

Planned Parenthood Surgical Abortion Centers in Iowa

Location Abortions up to…

• Iowa City         21 weeks, 6 days
• Des Moines     19 weeks, 6 days
• Bettendorf      17 weeks, 6 days
• Sioux City        16 weeks, 6 days

Why have abortions up to 22 weeks in Iowa City?  It could be because they have emergency back-up at the University of Iowa Hospitals. The further along an abortion is, the more likely the complications.  It might be that they have abortionists in Iowa City willing to abort that far along—although that doesn’t make sense that nearby Bettendorf, probably served by the same abortionist, would be limited to 18 weeks.

It could be for competitive advantage—Emma Goldman in Iowa City advertises abortions up to “19 weeks and 6 days” and Planned Parenthood might be trying to out-abort them for the profits.

In the Midwest, only St. Louis and Kansas City Planned Parenthoods have thresholds comparable to Iowa City:

Planned Parenthood Surgical Abortions in Midwest

Location Abortions up to…

Kansas

• Kansas City—Overland Park – 21 weeks, 6 days

Missouri

• St. Louis – 21 weeks, 6 days
• Columbia – 13 weeks

Wisconsin

• Madison—East -19 weeks
• Milwaukee – 16 weeks
• Appleton – 13 weeks

Illinois

• Aurora Mega Clinic – 17 weeks, 6 days
• Downtown Chicago—LaSalle Street  17 weeks, 6 days

Nebraska (like Iowa, run by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland)

• Lincoln and Omaha – 16 weeks, 6 days

Minnesota

• St. Paul-Vandalia – 13 weeks, 6 days

South Dakota

• Sioux Falls – 13 weeks, 6 days

The only other Planned Parenthood we found so far that does abortions further along than 22 weeks is in New York City, which advertises them at 24 weeks.  This clinic is ironically called the “Margaret Sanger Clinic” for Planned Parenthood’s founder.

What this demonstrates again is that Planned Parenthood sees women in Iowa as either cash cows or guinea pigs.  Maybe both.

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The excerpt of the letter in question…

Please explain how all of your activities, including the prayer meetings held outside of Planned Parenthood, are considered educational as defined under 501(c)(3).  Organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) may present opinions with scientific or medical facts. Please explain in detail the activities at these prayer meetings. Also, please provide the percentage of time your organizations spends on prayer groups as compared with the other activities of the organization.

Wow, wow and wow…. Apparently the folks that wrote this didn’t realize that churches who are also 501(c)(3) organizations (usually) pray a lot and offer opinions all of the time.  So the idea they can only present opinions with “scientific or medical facts” is categorically false.

This on top of the news that the Treasury Department knew about this scandal back in 2012.  Surely they didn’t keep it quiet to shield President Obama did they?

The letter is below after being made public by the Thomas More Society:

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This amendment was an attempt to level the playing field when it comes to educational opportunities in the state. The language allowed Education Savings Grants to be deposited into student ESAs in the amount of the average per pupil state aid. The money may be put toward the costs of attending school or for home school expenses. Education is changing and we need to adapt and incorporate a multitude of opportunities such as ESAs to ensure future student success.

Iowa has world-class higher education opportunities and encouraging Iowa students to stay in the state and complete their advanced degree is a common sense option that will benefit the entire state. To that end, any unspent funds in their account could be used for Iowa-based colleges or universities.

While I will continue to work for the best interest of Iowans, the majority party refused to accept new solutions to education disparity in this state and voted against the ESAs. Offering a variety of educational opportunities for our students should be accepted and embraced if we want our students to be able to compete at a global level and achieve success. It is my belief that ESAs are a step in the right direction when it comes to education reform and we will continue to put Iowans first by offering common sense opportunities in order to maximize educational success.

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