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The Department recently published its annual “letter to the field,” summarizing education legislation enacted during the 2025 Session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly. Once again, the letter to the field is organized by our state education system priorities:
1. Supporting a Strong Teacher Pipeline
2. Strengthening Evidence-Based Literacy and Math Instruction
3. Narrowing and Closing Achievement Gaps through Accountability and Support
4. Empowering Students with Multiple Pathways to Postsecondary Success
5. Promoting Vibrant, Safe, and Healthy Learning Environments
The letter to the field also includes summaries of:
6. Appropriations
7. Additional Updates
Each legislation summary includes “Implementation updates” and a designated “Point of contact.” Please note that the linked implementation supports will be updated as noted resources become available.
Supporting statewide implementation of the Math Counts Act (House File 784), the Department has announced four new implementation supports, helping districts strengthen evidence-based mathematics K–6 instruction, including:
- State list of approved math screening and progress monitoring assessments
- State Model Personalized Math Plan to support school districts
- State Comprehensive State Math Plan and Executive Summary focused on standards-aligned HQIM implementation, curriculum-aligned professional learning, alignment of educator preparation to best practices, evidence-based instruction and intervention, and family engagement
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Build Math Minds statewide K-6 professional learning focused on building fluency and deepening conceptual understanding among educators and developing students’ strong foundation in number sense. Registration is open now.
- The professional development will be a blend of synchronous (via Zoom) and asynchronous (on-demand) learning with a focus on research-based strategies that build number sense, fluency, and conceptual understanding in students. Additional support will be provided to identified schools and districts.
These robust tools are designed to support the local implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), ensuring that all students receive timely, targeted, and standards-aligned instruction. All implementation resources are available on the Department’s Mathematics webpage.
Please contact Mathematics Consultant Christi Donald at christi.donald@iowa.gov or April Pforts at april.pforts@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department updated the Reference Guide for Educator and District Staff Training and Professional Development document. The list provides the professional development and training programs required of school employees under federal or state law, including Iowa Code 284. With an updated format, the list includes a section listing training that all (or most) school personnel must complete and another that lists training required for personnel in specific roles.
All Department courses are hosted on AEA Learning Online, and new courses include:
- Protecting Student Privacy in Schools: FERPA, PPRA, HIPAA, and COPPA
- Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action & Anti-Discrimination for Iowa School Personnel
- Free Speech and Intellectual Freedom
- At-Risk and Dropout Prevention: Developing a Program Plan
Additionally, the Department has included a list of recommended training, many of which the Department is creating to assist schools in meeting their specific legislative obligations, such as designing professional development plans, mentoring and induction programs, and at-risk and dropout prevention programs. This list of training will continue to be updated throughout July as the courses become available.
Please contact Education Professional Development Consultant Stephanie Nugent at stephanie.nugent@iowa.govwith questions.
After three rounds of professional development offerings submitted by Area Education Agencies (AEAs), the Department approved 53 unique courses that advance Iowa's strategic education priorities. The first round was published in March 2025, listing 22 approved courses. Requested rounds 2 and 3 in the first year of implementation added another 25 courses in April and 6 in July, respectively. The final 2025-26 List of Approved AEA Professional Development is available on the Department's HF 2612 Implementation webpage.
Please contact Education Professional Development Consultant Stephanie Nugent at stephanie.nugent@iowa.gov with questions.
House File (HF) 2545, signed into law on May 15, 2024, required the Department to conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations regarding the state’s high school graduation requirements, core content standards, and core curriculum. The review focuses on the 1) Standards and Instructional Practices, 2) Graduation Requirements, and 3) Iowa’s Statewide Literacy Plan, with a committee assigned for each of these three topics. The Department appreciates all educators, including superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, classroom teachers, educator preparation, higher education stakeholders, and legislators who served on the committees.
The initial report recommendations–which informed the Department’s pre-filed bill, HF 316, to establish an IRC diploma enacted this year– was published December 31, 2024. The final report includes robust updates and recommendations to advance state priorities, such as: standards implementation, CTE/core course flexibilities, the impact of concurrent enrollment, universal access to WBL and IRC attainment opportunities, new graduation requirements implementation, and Iowa’s comprehensive efforts to improve early literacy.
Please contact Legislative and Policy Liaison Eric St Clair at eric.stclair@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Unified Allocation Plan proposes to:
- Align ESEA programs and resources to Iowa’s state and local education priorities,
- Bolster school improvement efforts informed by accountability and assessment, and
- Support school districts’ focus on best serving students most in need of support.
To better support students, families, educators, schools, and communities, the Department seeks to implement its unified allocation plan through a combination of waivers, modernized administrative interpretations, and administration flexibilities:
- Allow state administrative and state activities set-aside funds to be consolidated based on existing statutory formulas;
- Allow school district formula and competitive funds to be consolidated based on existing statutory formulas utilizing expanded transferability flexibilities;
- Allow the Department to calculate and retain the equitable participation proportionate share in all relevant ESEA programs for school districts and nonpublic schools that opt in through meaningful consultation to provide equitable services to nonpublic school students and teachers through a third-party provider(s);
- Explore opportunities to best support school districts in prioritizing schools most in need of support through revised USED administrative interpretation;
- Modernize supplement, not supplant implementation across multiple ESEA programs through revised USED administrative interpretations.
The five articulated requests are based on continuous comment and input received by the Department from the public, public school districts, public charter schools, nonpublic schools, and area education agencies as education leaders implement and ensure compliance with the numerous programmatic and fiscal requirements under ESEA.
The Proposed 2025 Unified Allocation Plan is available on the Department’s ESSA Guidance and Allocations webpage. The Department will continue to provide additional opportunities for the public and education stakeholders to provide comment throughout the review and revision process. Informed by Iowa’s educators and families, the Department looks forward to continuing to partner with the U.S. Department of Education to meet the needs of all learners and to realize the purpose of these ESEA programs.
Please contact ESEA Programs Bureau Chief Jillian Dotson at jillian.dotson@iowa.gov with questions or comments.
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Effective July 1, all Iowa school districts, public charter schools and Area Education Agencies must return to the TeachIowa platform for open job postings. Schools and AEAs are no longer required to use the IowaWORKS system.
Through TeachIowa, schools and AEAs can recruit high-quality candidates through a nationally accessible job board that specially promotes teaching and school-related positions. Employers can easily access and organize a pool of potential candidate resumes and applicant information through the TeachIowa platform. Additionally, applicants can filter their job search by location, endorsement or authorization levels, and grade levels, among other criteria.
“As a direct result of Governor Reynolds’ in-person meetings with public school officials across the state, TeachIowa is back as Iowa’s official platform for education job posts,” said Stephanie Langstraat, education program consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. “TeachIowa provides opportunities for schools and AEAs to maximize their recruitment efforts and find highly qualified candidates from across the country.”
All schools and AEAs must be registered in TeachIowa to access the system and job board. Any district or AEA that does not have an account can register now. It may take up to 7-10 days to activate the registration.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Stephanie Langstraat at stephanie.langstraat@iowa.gov with questions.
A recording of the June 17 webinar, which focused on the requirements for revising school emergency operations plans and incorporating personal electronic use policies, is now available for schools to view on the Department’s Legislative Information webpage. The webinar, facilitated by the Department and the Governor’s School Safety Bureau, featured a panel of experts from state agencies, the school leadership team, and local law enforcement, who shared best practices and answered questions to assist schools as they revised their policies.
Please contact School Business Operation Bureau Chief Kassandra Cline at kassandra.cline@iowa.gov or Governor’s School Safety Bureau Chief Kyle Bassett at bassett@dps.state.ia.us with questions.
The Governor’s School Safety Bureau (GSSB) has partnered with the "i love you guys” foundation to host a free, day-long train-the-trainer workshop for an advanced introduction to the Standard Response Protocol and the Standard Reunification Method. More than 50,000 schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations and communities use these train protocols worldwide. The workshop takes place August 4, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information is available on the GSSB webpage, including a link to register.
Please contact SchoolSafety@dps.state.ia.us with questions.
Schools can now register for the Course to College program for the 2025-26 school year. Registered schools will receive full access to the program’s support, including publications for students and families, marketing materials, newsletters, weekly network calls, a texting hotline, shared resources and more. Visit the Department’s website to learn more about the Course to College program and complete your school’s registration.
Please contact Community Engagement Consultant Danielle Sampson at danielle.sampson@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department continues to receive questions regarding the allowable uses of special education funds, including costs allowable to the special education program and the 10% of special education support services funding that districts will retain beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Department will host a webinar to review allowable uses of special education funding on Wednesday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Please see the webinar link using passcode: 552536.
Please contact SpecialEducationFinance@iowa.gov with questions.
The Bureau of Elementary and Secondary Education Act Programs will continue to offer McKinney-Vento training for each homeless liaison in every district for the 2025-2026 school year. This training is required annually for homeless liaisons and delivered through the McKinney-Vento.org platform at no cost to the school district. The training provides staff with professional learning focused on identifying students experiencing homelessness, the McKinney-Vento Act and its provisions and best practices for supporting homeless youth.
Please contact Education of Homeless Children and Youths Consultant Tyler Navin at tyler.navin@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa is also proud to be one of the first states in the nation implementing a new pilot program called Healthy Kids Iowa. Administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the pilot program will help eligible families get expanded access to additional food throughout June, July and August, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy items, grains and proteins. Eligible participants include:
- Households with children aged 4 to 18 at 185% or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Households that are eligible for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) with children aged 4 to 18
Children may participate in both the Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program and the traditional USDA Summer Meal Programs (SFSP and SSO).
To sign up for Healthy Kids Iowa Pilot Program updates and to share more information with your community, visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ website.
There are two recent court decisions that may be of interest to school leaders.
In Villarini v. Iowa City Community School District (decided May 16, 2025), the Supreme Court of Iowa affirmed a judgment in favor of the District. Villarini claimed that the District defamed her by broadcasting and posting videos containing allegedly defamatory statements made about her in a school board meeting. The court concluded that the "fair-report" privilege was a complete defense to Villarini's defamation claim: "ICCSD has chosen to comply with these laws [Iowa Code chapter 21] with the most transparency possible, and that should not be punished. The fair-report privilege protects those government bodies that provide the public with a full account of their meetings."
In A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools (decided June 12, 2025), the Supreme Court of the United States held that children with disabilities and families alleging public schools violated Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act do not have to satisfy the stringent requirement of showing that schools “bad faith or gross misjudgment”; rather, they must meet the standards applicable in any other allegation under the ADA or Section 504.
Please consult with local counsel if either may apply to your organization.
GeoComm is preparing for a major software release this August that was developed as part of the statewide Critical Incident Mapping program. This update will introduce a key new feature: the ability to forward 911 caller locations directly to school districts, thus enhancing situational awareness for onsite school safety staff. Stay tuned—GeoComm will be reaching out to all users soon with registration details for training webinars scheduled for August 7th and August 12th at 11 a.m..
Please contact GeoComm Customer Success Director John Shanks at jshanks@geocomm.com with questions.
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Google recently announced a partnership with the Department to offer Google Career Certificates and AI Essentials to students and faculty at Iowa’s K-12 schools and 15 community colleges at no cost. Students, educators and community college faculty across the state can now access Google Career Certificates, which help individuals gain career-ready skills in high-demand fields, including cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support, project management, digital marketing and e-commerce and UX design.
In addition to the certificates and courses, Iowa students, educators and community college students and faculty will also have no-cost access to Google’s AI Essentials, a multi-module course designed to increase understanding of AI with hands-on activities based on real-world scenarios. Participants will build real-world skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Additional information will be relayed as this partnership continues to develop.
Please contact Computer Science Consultant Michelle Meier at michelle.meier@iowa.gov with questions.
A total of $850,000 in competitive grant funding is available to Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to align computer science programs, including career and technical education programs in information technology and business management and administration, with the attainment of industry-recognized credentials. The new Credentials to Computer Science Careers grant will support high schoolers earning in-demand technology credentials with labor market value.
District and nonpublic school applicants should demonstrate clear, sustainable plans to align one or more existing computer science or CTE pathways with student attainment of an industry-recognized credential aligned to industry needs and labor market demand. Any computer science or IT-related credential will qualify, provided it is a new opportunity not previously made available to their students.
Credentials to Computer Science Careers grant applications will be accepted in IowaGrants.gov through August 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. More information on the Credentials to Computer Science Careers grant is available on the Department’s Industry-Recognized Credentials webpage.
Please contact Computer Science Consultant Michelle Meier at michelle.meier@iowa.gov with questions.
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As your district prepares for the upcoming school year, please complete steps in the local student information system to ensure learner demographic/enrollment data, such as grade, resident and attending districts and attending buildings, are updated to reflect the 2025-26 school year. Action is needed beginning July 15. Please also review and share details about the summer rollover process with your SIS data manager and staff.
Please contact ACHIEVE Consultant Shannon Grundmeier at shannon.grundmeier@iowa.gov with questions.
Effective August 18, the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship through the Iowa Workforce Development will no longer utilize the Merit data platform to collect and manage quality pre-apprenticeship (QPA) participant information. The Merit platform was previously used during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years for submitting and tracking QPA data, as well as issuing digital credentials to students.
When the contract ends, the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship will transition to a new system. If your high school has previously used the Merit platform to submit QPA data, you will no longer need to do so. The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship will send future instructions and details on the new process for reporting QPA data and recognizing students. In the meantime, please temporarily use this form to input QPA program information.
Please contact Iowa Workforce Development’s Abby Tibbetts at Abigail.Tibbetts@iwd.iowa.gov with questions.
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 Visit and subscribe to the Annual Notices and Deadlines Calendar for a list of state and federal notices and deadlines for all public and nonpublic schools.
(Revised 7-1-25)
It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 – 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.). If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, please contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, telephone number: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, telephone number: 303-844-5695, TDD number: 800-877-8339, email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov
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