The Iowa Department of Education collects information on joint enrollment from Iowa’s 15 community colleges. Jointly-enrolled students are high school students enrolled in community college credit coursework. Most jointly-enrolled students enroll through Senior Year Plus programs, such as concurrent enrollment. Other students enroll independently as tuition-paying students, or enroll in courses delivered through contractual agreements that do not meet the definition of “concurrent enrollment.” 

The latest edition of an annual report that documents the academic year trend data on joint enrollment was recently released. The Joint Enrollment Report includes data on headcount enrollment, credit hours taken, student demographics and enrollment by program type and offering arrangement. Overall, more high school students are taking college credit courses than ever before, picking up again after a dip due to the pandemic.

Highlights from the report are from the 2022-23 school year and include the following: 

• Enrollment increased 5.5 percent, from 50,082 students last year to 52,814 this year.
• Eight community colleges experienced an increase in the number of high school students enrolled, and the number of credits taken by high school students rose at 12 community colleges.
• High school students participating in joint enrollment programs accounted for 45.1 percent of total community college enrollment. 
• Nearly 46.0 percent were high school seniors and 35.0 percent were juniors.
• Joint enrollment programs accounted for 29.9 percent of total community college credit hours earned.
• Jointly enrolled high school students earned a total of 2,458 awards simultaneously with their high school diploma, an increase of 36.3 percent from the previous year. The total number of awards earned included 339 associate degrees, 104 diplomas and 2,015 certificates.

In addition to this report, the Department of Education has developed new data visualization tools with institution level information related to joint enrollment. Joint enrollment participation at each of Iowa’s 15 community colleges can be viewed on the Iowa Student Outcomes website. Each community college profile contains information related to joint enrollment by offering arrangement, credit hours, grade level participation, gender of students, race/ethnicity and participation in coursework by subject area.

For more information about Senior Year Plus programs, refer to the Department’s website. For more information, contact Heather Meissen at heather.meissen@iowa.gov or 515-326-5378.

The Iowa Department of Education is now collecting public comment on the Iowa Perkins V Accountability for Continuation of State Plan through May 7.

Under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (also known as Perkins V), states are required to report annually on core indicators of performance for both secondary and postsecondary programs. Additionally, states are also required to provide data on the performance of students by race, ethnicity, gender and special population categories. The reported information provides grant recipients with opportunities to analyze their performance results and use the data for budget and program evaluation.

With the use of historical data and performance, statistical methods and informed insight, state targets known as State Determined Levels of Performance (SDLP) can be established. To meet the criteria of an SDLP, the state or local recipient must exceed 90 percent of the SDLP target.

The Bureau of Community Colleges and Postsecondary Readiness has released the Gap Tuition Assistance Program Report for fiscal year 2023. 

In the report, eligibility criteria, costs, programs and requirements for participation are outlined. Financial reporting for 2023 is also included, detailing allocations and expenditures from all 15 community colleges. 

The Gap Tuition Assistance Program was established in 2013 by the Iowa Legislature to provide funding to community colleges and their students for need-based tuition assistance allowing for the completion of continuing education certificate training programs connected to in-demand occupations (Iowa Code section 260I).

For more information on Gap Tuition Assistance, contact Lisa Gard at lisa.gard@iowa.gov or 515-418-3156.

The Pathways for Academic Career and Employment IPACE) Program Report for fiscal year 2023 has been issued by the Iowa Department of Education. 

The report details an overview of the PACE program, including eligibility criteria, program component requirements and financial reporting, among others. 

The Pathways for Academic Career and Employment (PACE) program was established by the Iowa Legislature to provide funding to community colleges for the development of programs that will lead to gainful, quality, in-state employment for members of target populations. This program provides target populations with effective academic and employment training to ensure gainful employment and customized support services.

For more information on the PACE program, contact Lisa Gard at lisa.gard@iowa.gov or 515-418-3156. 

There is still time to submit a grant application for the latest round of the 2023-24 Career Academy Incentive Fund! Grant! Deadline to apply is April 17.

The Career Academy Incentive Fund supports increased access to career academy programs through regional centers and highlights partnerships between school districts, community colleges, business and industry and other partners. Successful proposals promote equitable access to high-quality career and technical education programs and include at least one school district and one community college. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who focus on programming delivered to multiple school districts. For the spring application period, the Department will also consider tier 2 proposals that improve or expand existing career academies delivered through a regional center. 

Questions regarding the Career Academy Incentive Fund can be directed to Heather Meissen at heather.meissen@iowa.gov or 515-326-5378.

The Workforce Training and Economic Development (WTED) Fund FY 2023 Progress Report and FY 2024 Plan is now available on the Iowa Department of Education's website. 

This report outlines the WTED-funded programs, projects and initiatives community colleges have implemented during the past fiscal year. The reported total for the FY 2023 WTED fund was $16,272,087 The colleges’ overall expenditures totaled $15,395,908.

The WTED fund was established in 2003 as part of the Grow Iowa Values Fund. This fund has become an important source of financing for community college new program innovation, development, and capacity building, particularly for career and technical education. The funding is allocated annually using the community college state general aid distribution formula as provided for in Iowa Code 260C.18A.

For more information on WTED, contact Lisa Gard at lisa.gard@iowa.gov or 515-418-3156.

Lindsay Harrison will be joining the Bureau of Community Colleges and Postsecondary Readiness July 29. She will be an education program consultant for the Education Preparation program. 

Harrison has worked for the past thirteen years in Grand View University’s department of education, serving as both education faculty as well as education department chair. Prior to her work at Grand View University, Lindsay had multiple years of teaching experience in the K-12 setting.

Welcome, Lindsay! 

Are you looking for a new career pathway? The Bureau of Community Colleges and Postsecondary Readiness has exciting, new job opportunities for candidates passionate about education in Iowa.

We are currently seeking applicants for an Administrative Consultant for continuing education. This position will coordinate and lead teams related to statewide noncredit and continuing education initiatives. Application closing date is April 7.

Additionally, the bureau has an open position for an Education Program Consultant for agriculture, food and natural resources. The successful candidate will provide leadership administration and technical assistance for high school and community college Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources programs. Application closing date is April 7.

A third open position for an Education Program Consultant for computer science and information solutions is also available with the bureau. This position will lead computer science and information solutions initiatives, including leadership with the Computer Science State Plan and the Computer Science Advisory Committee. Application closing date is April 7.

A fourth open position for a Secretary 2 is also available. This position be an integral member of the Bureau of Community Colleges and Postsecondary Readiness, working closely with and supporting the bureau chief, section chiefs and consultants. Application closing date is April 22.

To learn more about these and other Department job postings, visit the Iowa Department of Administrative Services website. For specific questions on the Administrative Consultant position, contact Amy Gieseke at amy.gieseke@iowa.gov or 515-858-2234. Questions regarding the two Education Program Consultant positions can be directed to Dennis Harden at dennis.harden@iowa.gov of 515-314-7852.