[PLK]

And they say IA has about the best public schools in the nation!

A big lie. The reason Iowa school children score so well on standardized exams is due totally to demographics, NOTHING else. In cities that attract minorities and others seeking "services," the scores are nothing to brag about. If you look at the stats regarding student achievement and demographics, this fact becomes obvious. Demographics, not spending or politics, determines student achievement.

[PhilDragoo]

And they say IA has about the best public schools in the nation!

A big lie.

Albuquerque, New Mexico's public school system drew its former superintendant from Iowa.

Brad Allison went nuts, was fired for a myriad of failings including drug and alcohol abuse, and wound up costing the system hundreds of thousands of dollars--just to get rid of him.

The dung piles are high and wide in Iowa.

[ClaireSolt]

I disagree about demographics and school achievement. Iowa and Nebraska schools are still run like schools were when I was in school in the 50's and 60's. My children went to school in both states.

Education of parents correlates best with sucess in school in recent times.

time was, however, when NYC schools made assimilation of poor immigrants happen. That was before teacher unions, among other things.