House lawmakers approve scaled-back education plan

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa House lawmakers on Wednesday approved a plan to water down Gov. Terry Branstad's education reform plan, scaling back a key priority for the governor, who has pledged to make the state's public schools among the best in the nation.

In a 52-44 vote, legislators approved the bill modifying Branstad's $187 million education plan, which would have boosted minimum teacher pay and offered bonuses to senior teachers who take on tasks such as mentoring. Under the revisions, school districts could opt-out of the plan.

Branstad wanted to mandate that minimum teacher salaries go from $28,000 a year to $35,000. Under the House Republican proposal, the salary increases would go up to $32,000 for districts that...