More than 100 work-based learning projects are now available to students and schools for the 2019-2020 school year through a new virtual state clearinghouse.

The Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning connects K-12 students, schools, and employers through shared projects that enable students to learn through professional experiences. The goal is to expand access to work-based learning projects statewide so that students can connect what they’re learning in the classroom to careers.

The Iowa Department of Education sent a formal request to United States Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, on July 10, for approval to move forward with a state-defined Ability to Benefit (ATB) plan.

Access to student financial aid plays a critical role in a student’s ability to access, persist, and complete postsecondary education. This is especially true for students without a high school diploma or its equivalent. Under the ATB provision, students lacking a high school diploma or its equivalent can become eligible for federal student aid programs, such as the federal Pell grant, by demonstrating their ability to benefit from postsecondary education or training in a career pathway program.

Currently, Iowa students can meet federal ability to benefit requirements by either completing six credits (or the equivalent) applicable toward a degree or certificate without federal or state student financial aid assistance, or by passing an acceptable ABT academic assessment or entrance exam.

Iowa’s proposed state-defined plan would expand student access to federal student aid programs by adding a third option for students to demonstrate their ability to benefit. The plan, which was developed by a committee of Iowa community college administrators and practitioners, would expand federal student aid eligibility to students who work toward a high school equivalency diploma while concurrently enrolled in a postsecondary career pathway program.

If approved by Secretary DeVos, the plan will provide a great opportunity for thousands of Iowans to pursue the postsecondary education and training needed for careers in high-demand occupations.

Please contact Mike Williams, Education Program Consultant, Bureau of Community Colleges, at mike.williams@iowa.gov, or at 515-725-2005, with comments or questions.

Biology (AS) and Business (AA) are the third and fourth discipline frameworks that were recently approved in the Iowa community college transfer major initiative.  They add additional opportunities beyond the Psychology and Criminal Justice frameworks that were approved earlier in the year. Transfer majors aim to create clear, structured pathways for transfer students. They are designed to guide students to take program-specific coursework within their associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) studies that will transfer seamlessly into related majors at four-year institutions with the goal of:

• improving communication and transfer efficiency among institutions;
• providing students with a defined pathway toward their academic goals;
• supporting a more data-informed assessment/articulation process;
• avoiding excessive credits and decreasing time to degree completion; and
• making postsecondary education more affordable, thus reducing student debt.

All of the discipline frameworks were developed and vetted by Iowa community colleges and public four-year universities prior to the Transfer Major Steering Committee’s (TMSC) approval. The approved discipline frameworks have a minimum of 18 discipline-relevant course credits that community colleges can offer students who intend to transfer into related baccalaureate programs at a four-year institution. This approval allows community colleges to create local transfer majors aligned with these discipline frameworks that also fulfill the AA or AS degree requirements. Once reviewed by the Department, colleges will be able to market and transcript their transfer majors.

Other discipline frameworks for mathematics, chemistry, physics, sociology, early childhood teacher licensure, education, and agriculture, are under development and should be approved within the next few months. The TMSC will host at least two convenings during the 2019-2020 academic year where faculty and administrators will design additional discipline frameworks in the areas of humanities and the social sciences.

Please contact Chris Russell, Education Program Consultant at chris.russell@iowa.gov, or 515-725-2247, for more information.

Gayle Gosch, a math and high school equivalency instructor at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), has been named the 2019 Archie Willard Adult Education and Literacy Educator of the Year.

The annual award honors an adult education and literacy instructor for exemplary service through advocating, developing, implementing, and teaching adult education in Iowa. Gosch received the award and was recognized for her achievements during the 2019 HiSET Program/Iowa Adult Education and Literacy Summer Conference in Des Moines.

Registration is now open for the Social Justice in Education Conference, which will be held August 8-9 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Attendees will hear about promising practices and strategies that support equitable access and multi-cultural instruction, rigorous and unbiased curriculum, and other accelerated interventions to help all students succeed. There is no registration fee for the event.

Training specifically for equity coordinators and administrators will be conducted by the Office for Civil Rights on August 8. Sessions covering a range of social justice topics, such as multi-generational trauma, achievement gaps, disability rights, and bias, among others, will be covered on August 9. Educators, counselors, administrators, and student services staff from K-12 schools, community colleges, and four-year public and private institutions, as well as business and industry, are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Jeanette Thomas, Education Program Consultant, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, at jeanette.thomas@iowa.gov, or at 515-281-3636.

Community colleges and school districts with outstanding Perkins claims for the 2018-2019 school year need to submit them as soon as possible The Department must review and approve all outstanding claims for the 2018-2019 school year by the end of July.

​All claims submitted after July 31, 2019, are required to go through a state appeals process with no guarantee of the claim being paid.

Please contact Pat Thieben, Acting Chief, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, at pat.thieben@iowa.gov, or 515-281-4707, with questions.

Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Ed. D, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Consultant, will be inducted into the Colorado Association for Career and Technical Education (CACTE) Hall of Fame at the 2019 CACTE CareerTech Summit in July. 

In being selected for this honor, Katy joins an elite group of individuals who are recognized as dedicated leaders in career and technical education in Colorado over a lifetime. Katy is a product of CTE, starting her career as a high school student and state officer for the FHA/HERO (now FCCLA) student organization.  After graduating from Colorado State University, she spent over eighteen years in Colorado working in the CTE field. Through her career she was an active family and consumer sciences educator as a teacher, adviser, and program director at the state level. 

Katy spent countless hours serving on several professional organization boards, including having served as the President of the CACTE organization three times. She was one of the first ACTE Leadership Fellows, was honored as the Colorado Family and Consumer Sciences, CACTE and ACTE Region V New Teacher of the Year in 2003, helped develop a mentorship program for CTE educators, presented many workshops, and enhanced teacher professional development opportunities throughout the state. Katy went on to earn her doctorate and moved to Lubbock, Texas where she was the Director of the FCS Curriculum Center at Texas Tech University.   Katy joined the Bureau of Career and Technical Education in Iowa this past February, and is looking forward to many years of dedicated service to career and technical education in the state. 

Twenty-three Des Moines metro middle and high school girls explored tools of the trade at a week-long summer camp aimed at exposing them to in-demand career opportunities in construction.

Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines Public Schools, Homebuilders of Iowa, and Turner Construction, the Construction Camp for Girls is helping to break down stereotypes, foster interest, and expose students to in-demand career opportunities where females have traditionally been underrepresented.

What’s your major? The oft-dreaded question is asked of almost every recent high school graduate and soon-to-be college student. There is no doubt that choosing a major is one of the most difficult things recent high school graduates face. Many students struggle with balancing a desire to study what interests them with finding a field that will lead to a good-paying career.

But thankfully, that’s not the case for Megan Niewoehner from Sumner-Fredericksburg, and Jaxon Mullinnix from Lone Tree. Both rural eastern Iowa students graduated at the top of their class. They took courses that earned them college credit while still in high school. And most important, both credit their involvement in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) with helping them to grow as leaders, apply core learning in practical ways, and ultimately guide them into fields where they can turn their passion into future careers.

Student leaders from across the state recently gathered at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny for a full day of training aimed at developing their leadership and networking skills.

This wasn’t your typical “sit at the table and listen” type of training. Quite the contrary.

The newly elected student leaders and officers from each of Iowa’s nine career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) actively shared insights and engaged in activities, such as discussing favorite leadership quotes, learning about rules of leadership, and creating citizen communities.

We are seeking talented individuals who are passionate about excellence in education to fill several positions over the next few months within the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation (Division).

We don't just talk about inclusion, it's how we do business.  Our team is globally diverse and we seek candidates whose differences will challenge our ideas, spur innovation, and ultimately help build stronger programs serving the people of Iowa.

The Division is currently interviewing candidates to fill a CTE consultant position for skilled trades and advanced manufacturing as well as a CTE consultant position with a focus on either information solutions or agriculture. In the near future, the Division expects to advertise for Bureau Chief (CTE) and two consultant positions within the Bureau of Community Colleges. 

To learn more about these opportunities, please contact Jeremy Varner, Administrator, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation, at jeremy.varner@iowa.gov, or at 515-281-8260.