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Hello everyone! The school year is off and running! With that, many districts have questions on how to best utilize Perkins funding to support CTE programs.
I wanted to remind you that we have two wonderful, dedicated staff within the Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness that are here to help you with all of your Perkins related questions:
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Jeffrey Fletcher, jeffrey.fletcher@iowa.gov
- Education Program Consultant- IowaGrants Lead, Perkins Accountability, Monitoring, Reporting
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Amy Vybiral, amy.vybiral@iowa.gov
- Education Program Consultant-Perkins Budgets, Claims and Monitoring Processes
I look forward to continuing to work with you and support you in this important and impactful work in the future. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have on WBL or IRCs!
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Mark you calendars for January 15th at 2 pm! During this time, Department staff will be presenting a webinar to cover the basics of work-based learning (WBL) and industry-recognized credential (IRC) coding and reporting requirements, as well as providing additional resources. Stay tuned for more information, including a registration link!
When determining if students are getting a work-based learning experience as part of a course, ask the following questions:
- Are students actively working and learning, not passively observing, during the experience?
- Project Based Learning = Consultants
- Simulated Work Experience = Working for a School Based Enterprise, completing clinicals or practicum requirements, etc.
- Internships, Student Learner Programs, Quality Pre-Apprenticeships, Registered and Non-Registered Apprenticeships = Worker
- Are employer partners directly involved and engaging with students?
- Employers need to be providing more than consultation
- Projects, lab work, etc. don't necessarily automatically qualify
- Schools/districts, family businesses, entrepreneurs, and others may qualify as "employers"
Please reach out to Jodie Smith at jodie.smith@iowa.gov if you have any questions.
After a successful webinar series last year, Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Education are continuing the WBL webinar series for the 2025-2026 school year. This year's webinar series will focus on new topics and highlight what's possible in Iowa's workforce.
November 4, 2025: Work-Based Learning: A Key Strategy to Address Iowa's Healthcare Workforce Shortage
- 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 pm Register Here
- Find out more about healthcare labor market information and scalable work-based learning examples from employers and educators who are helping Iowans explore rewarding healthcare careers while building talent pipelines for employers.
February 10, 2026: Preparing Student-Learners for Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Careers
- 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register Here
- A student-learner program is a type of work-based learning experience with potential to train 16- and 17-year-olds for careers in industries like construction and advanced manufacturing. Learn about the components that comprise a student-learner program
March 10, 2026: Incorporating Industry-Recognized Credentials into Work-Based Learning
- 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register Here
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Work-based learning provides opportunities for high schools and community colleges to integrate industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) into courses and programs. Learn about which types of work-based learning are best suited for alignment with IRCs and how to integrate these credentials into existing and new work-based learning programs.
Not able to attend a webinar? Webinars are recorded and posted to the Iowa Workforce and Iowa Department of Education websites for later viewing. Click the button below for a list of recordings!
The STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program focuses on teachers and industry professionals working side-by-side to craft curriculum and projects that prepare students for exciting STEM careers local to their community in manufacturing, information technology, bioscience (agriculture and medicine), finance, and more.
The application period for the 2026-2027 STEM BEST Award is now open and the deadline for applications is November 10, 2025. Both returning schools and new schools can apply.
More information can be found on the Department of Education's STEM BEST webpage.
Do you have students interested in science research? If so, Des Moines University (DMU) Medicine and Health Sciences is inviting students to submit abstracts for the Young Scientist Program. This in-person event on November 15th celebrates scientific discovery and innovation across disciplines, providing an exciting opportunity to:
- Present original research in a professional setting
- Network with faculty, researchers and peers
- Gain feedback from a broad scientific audience
Young Scientists Abstracts must be submitted as:
- STEM Research (High School Students Only)
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
For more information, please contact research@dmu.edu.
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Get ready, Iowa Work-Based Learning superstars! The Iowa WBL Conference in Altoona, on April 6th, 2026, is gearing up, and we want YOU to be a feature! You're out there doing absolutely fabulous work shaping tomorrow, today, and now's your chance to shout it from the rooftops! Don't let your incredible innovations stay secret—it's time to share the magic! Applications to present are open! Use the link provided, or check out our socials!!
We seriously cannot wait to see the awesome you're bringing! Let's make this year's conference the best one yet!
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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.
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 feedback form has been added to the site to request corrections, clarifications or other information.
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Jodie Smith
Education Program Consultant - WBL and IRCs
Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
515-419-5190
jodie.smith@iowa.gov
Heather Meissen
Administrative Consultant - CTE and Health Sciences
Bureau of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness
Division of Higher Education
Iowa Department of Education
515-326-5378
heather.meissen@iowa.gov
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