Gov. Kim Reynolds has made restructuring Iowa’s Area Education Agencies a top priority this legislative session.
But a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll finds that most Iowans have a favorable opinion of AEAs, which provide special education services and a range of other programming and resources to districts across Iowa.
Asked about their feelings toward Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, known as AEAs, 56% of Iowans have a favorable view, compared with just 20% who hold an unfavorable opinion of the agencies.
Twenty-four percent say they aren’t sure.
The 56% favorable rating for AEAs is higher than for any elected official tested in the poll. And at least 50% of all partisan groups give AEAs a positive rating: 63% of Democrats, 59% of independents and 50% of Republicans.
AEAs also earn 50% favorability or higher across Iowa’s four congressional districts, as well as every income bracket and all age groups.
Among Iowans with children younger than 18, the agencies receive a 59% favorable rating, and 68% of adults with a college degree view the AEAs favorably.
It’s the first Iowa Poll to ask Iowans their opinions on the AEAs. The findings suggest that Reynolds’ call for a massive overhaul may be out of step with how most Iowans feel about the agencies.
But a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll finds that most Iowans have a favorable opinion of AEAs, which provide special education services and a range of other programming and resources to districts across Iowa.
Asked about their feelings toward Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, known as AEAs, 56% of Iowans have a favorable view, compared with just 20% who hold an unfavorable opinion of the agencies.
Twenty-four percent say they aren’t sure.
The 56% favorable rating for AEAs is higher than for any elected official tested in the poll. And at least 50% of all partisan groups give AEAs a positive rating: 63% of Democrats, 59% of independents and 50% of Republicans.
AEAs also earn 50% favorability or higher across Iowa’s four congressional districts, as well as every income bracket and all age groups.
Among Iowans with children younger than 18, the agencies receive a 59% favorable rating, and 68% of adults with a college degree view the AEAs favorably.
It’s the first Iowa Poll to ask Iowans their opinions on the AEAs. The findings suggest that Reynolds’ call for a massive overhaul may be out of step with how most Iowans feel about the agencies.
As Reynolds pushes big changes to Iowa special education, most like AEAs, Iowa Poll finds
Area Education Agencies earn 50% favorable views or higher across Iowa’s four congressional districts, every income bracket and all age groups
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