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Although the temperature outside really dropped this month, we are hearing about things heating up between employers, educators and other partners interested in creating new or expanding current work-based learning opportunities for students across the state!
This month's newsletter covers some new resources or opportunities, upcoming events and a focus on a few aspects of Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs). Please take a moment to review things carefully and watch for fast approaching deadlines.
We continue to receive questions about new definitions and coding/reporting changes and our team is happy to answer them on a case-by-case basis or set up a time for a more in-depth session to focus on planning, implementing, expanding and sustaining high quality career-connected learning programs within your regions, districts or communities.
Take care, stay warm and keep up the great work everyone!
Sincerely,
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A new resource has been released that serves as a collection of questions, comments and other feedback we received during the WBL Coding & Reporting Support webinar regarding recent changes to the definition of “work-based learning” (WBL), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan and the new Postsecondary Readiness Index (PSRI) measure within the Iowa School Performance Profiles (ISPP). Questions have been organized as closely as possible to common themes or topics. Please review and reach out with any additional questions or requests for clarification.
With recent legislation defining work-based learning (WBL) experiences and changes to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Postsecondary Readiness Index to now include the percentage of students participating in a qualifying WBL experience, the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development are partnering to provide technical assistance around work-based learning and to help connect school districts and businesses to increase the number of WBL opportunities available to students.
A very brief survey was sent to Superintendents and district leadership recently to indicate the types of WBL that are offered at your school districts and the types of opportunities you would like to expand upon or offer in the future. Please take a moment to review and provide feedback through the link below. Your assistance is greatly appreciated to ensure we are offering the best support and services across the state.
You've likely noticed the term "IRC" popping up more often during education and training discussions at both the state and national level. An IRC, or Industry-Recognized Credential, is a certification that has been widely acknowledged as holding value within a specific industry or field. Recipients of such credentials (which can be educational certificates, degrees, certifications and government-issued licenses) have demonstrated that they possess the knowledge, skills and competencies required to perform specific tasks or roles within that industry. IRCs are awarded by certifying bodies, trade associations or professional organizations that have established standards for proficiency and knowledge within that domain. Designed as a validation of an individual’s expertise, IRCs serve as a trusted benchmark for employers and stakeholders.
The attainment of IRCs that appear on Iowa's state-approved list will soon be incorporated into the Postsecondary Readiness Index measure for the Iowa School Performance Profiles. A series of IRC-focused grants have also been awarded and are likely to continue in the future in order to support schools and districts with providing state-approved IRCs to their students.
Your assistance is needed to review the current list of approved IRCs to ensure we have it as accurate and relevant as possible. School districts can submit requests for new additions or proposed changes to current offerings and associated providers, costs or other information on the list. Community colleges can also submit requests for IRCs that are incorporated into concurrent enrollment courses. Better hurry though as the this list will close for review on Friday, March 14th!
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As mentioned in the previous section, Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) provide a great opportunity for students to earn an additional credential prior to graduation that will allow them to more quickly and easily transition to the next stage of what comes next with their chosen education, career or life plans.
Because of their direct connection to business and industry needs and alignment with the hands-on experience necessary to attain certain knowledge, skills or abilities, IRCs blend or align very well with WBL. A WBL course that offers IRCs would also provide a greater return on investment of district time, resources and capacity for various performance measures, such as the Iowa School Performance Profiles and Perkins. Plans for continued funding for IRCs is also a nice potential bonus!
Consider reviewing the state-approved IRC list and asking school/district staff or business/industry partners the following types of questions to explore embedding or incorporating IRCs into your WBL programs and experiences for greater impact:
- Are IRCs offered within our courses? Is it optional or required?
- Is an IRC offered in this industry or CTE content area for this course and/or WBL experience?
- Do the requirements for an IRC seem to align with what our students are already doing within the classroom or on-site for WBL?
- Is district or CTE/RPP education funding available to pay for IRCs?
- Do local business/industry partners offer IRCs to their employees?
- Are local business/industry partners willing to partner on IRCs either on-site or in-class?
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The interactive work-based learning dashboard available on the Iowa Student Outcomes website provides an opportunity to review what is being offered across the state for WBL. While the site currently contains 2023-2024 academic year data, we are hoping to complete an update very soon with 2024-2025 academic year data.
District or school staff should check the updated information and conduct a thorough review of all identified courses, as well as any that may be missing or seemingly incorrect due to coding or reporting issues. A new feedback form has been added to the site to request corrections, clarifications or other information.
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Register today for the 2025 Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Conference! This annual one-day event is planned for April 14, 2025 at the Prairie Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona, IA.
I always look forward to this conference and learn so much! In addition to hearing from nationally known speakers, there are so many opportunities to network, connect and learn from others from across the state. Unlike some other content-specific conferences I've attended, this event seemed more welcoming and less intimidating to me when I was just starting out in this crazy WBL world! Current President Amy "Bozz" Bossard offers her similar experience and love for the conference in the new The Coordinator's Corner section below.
The planning team seems to have really outdone themselves this year with a rockstar line-up of workshops and keynote speaker! Take a look below and get registered today. Hope to see you all there!
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Attending the Iowa Work-Based Learning Conference for the first time was an absolute game-changer for me! The moment I walked in, I felt seen, heard, and was surrounded by people who truly understood the importance of this work. The energy at the conference was electric—chatter and networking with passionate educators, industry leaders, and workforce professionals all eager to collaborate and share ideas.
The speaker was wonderfully inspiring, igniting with fresh perspectives and reinforcing just how meaningful our efforts truly are. It was a day filled with eye-opening conversations, innovative strategies, and the reassurance that we are never alone in this journey. Even in moments when I feel like I’m treading water, this conference reminded me that there’s always a network of support ready to lift me up.
Skipping this event would be a huge missed opportunity because work-based learning deserves its own professional development, and this conference delivers just that! Please reach out should you have any questions about why this conference is ...well awesome!!!!l
Amy "Bozz" Bossard
Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators President (2024-2025)
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The Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development are continuing their efforts to expand work-based learning through a collaborative and informative series of webinars aimed at showcasing the many ways that Iowa schools and employers are building the workforce pipeline across our state. Special guests also include strategic partners like the Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Association, Iowa Business Council and the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Past Sessions:
10/01 - Work-Based Learning: Essential Tool for Preparing Students for Careers (recording)
10/21 - Jump-Start Careers: Apprenticeship, Pre-Apprenticeship and Industry-Recognized Credentials (recording)
11/19 - Iowa Business Council’s ‘Top Four' List of Professional Proficiencies (recording)
12/03 - Where to Find Funding and Other Resources for Work-Based Learning (recording)
01/21 - A Deeper Dive into Starting and Expanding Work-Based Learning (recording)
02/11 - Using Labor Market Information to Drive Work-Based Learning Decisions (recording)
Upcoming Sessions:
03/04 - Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Work-Based Learning for Students with Disabilities
04/08 - Linking Perkins, CTSOs and Other Programs for Sustained Work-Based Learning
Registration closes soon for the 2025 Build My Future event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
This high-energy and engaging annual event pulls in over 6,000 students from 120+ schools across the state and is expected to grow even more this year to around 7,000 students! With over 20 different career pathways covered, across many industries, and hands-on activities from more than 150 exhibitors, there is something for every type of student to try!
There is also a chance to have some of your students participate in a special "signing day" event where they will be signing letters of intent to pursue careers in the trades or completing initial paperwork for apprenticeships or employment opportunities. View pictures and videos from previous events, review testimonials and learn more through the link below.
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Registration is now open for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship program, which aims to help teachers better connect the content and skills they teach to the needs of Iowa's STEM workplaces throughout our state.
- Iowa STEM Teacher Externships are geared toward secondary STEM educators.
- STEM Teacher Externs are expected to work for 200 - 240 hours for the extern host, typically starting in June and ending in July for 5-6 full-time weeks. STEM Teacher Extern hosts are often flexible in adjusting work schedules to meet the needs of their STEM teacher externs.
- Iowa STEM Teacher Externs earn a stipend of up to $5,000 and three graduate credits through the University of Northern Iowa's Continuing Education program paid for by the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program.
Iowa STEM Teacher Externship matches will be made based on workplace needs and teacher qualifications, skills and interests. Iowa STEM Teacher Externship placements will begin in March and will extend into the spring. It is recommended that you apply before March 1 for the best possibility of finding a placement.
Joe Collins
Work-Based Learning Consultant
Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
515-419-5190
joe.collins@iowa.gov
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