An educational study commission head urged the need for educational reform in Iowa so the state can be competitive worldwide.

Marvin Pomerantz, head of the Commission on Educational Excellence for the 21st Century and former president of the state Board of Regents, made recommendations for improving the educational system in Iowa.

His recommendations include opening schools year-round so students can take more classes during summer, establishing higher requirements for becoming a teacher, giving students more tests to check their progress and offering early retirement programs to older teachers.

The commission will submit the recommendations to the governors and legislative leaders for consideration during the 1998 legislative session.

The report containing the recommendations is scheduled to be completed in mid-September.

Pomerantz said schools should be open year-round and have more actual school days.

He said schools should become learning centers where people can learn throughout the year instead of being buildings which are only open 180 days annually.

Pomerantz said people’s satisfaction with the current educational system has actually hindered its improvement.

He said the educational system in the state of Iowa would be in danger of going downhill if legislators failed to introduce the reform.

Pomerantz also pointed out the possibility of local businesses’ participation in local schools, which he feels in the long run can help the schools offer more internships and cooperative education programs to students.

Pomerantz said he believes the report will probably gain support from businessmen and legislative leaders.

Pomerantz, a businessman from Des Moines, was a leader who had taken part in reorganizing the state universities as the president of the state Board of Regents.