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Iowa is delivering remarkable results for students across key measures.
1. Overall School Performance Improving
Overall scores for the 2024-25 school year improved using the same high expectations as last year, with nearly 56% of schools performing in the top 3 of 6 rating categories. That’s up 10 percentage points compared to 46% of schools last year.
2. Early Literacy Improving
Following the enactment of landmark early literacy legislation in 2024, students who were in 3rd grade during the 2023-24 school year showed impressive gains as 4th graders in 2024-25, with proficiency increasing 11 percentage points from last year.
3. Science Proficiency Improving
Science proficiency increased by 4 percentage points in 5th grade, 5 percentage points in 8th grade, and 7 percentage points in 10th grade with the prioritization of science proficiency and growth in our new school accountability system.
4. Attendance Improving
Iowa’s average percent of K-12 public school students who were chronically absent dropped 5.8 percentage points since the 2023-24 school year, falling to 15.8% in the 2024-25 school year. Over just the past three years, Iowa had a 9.8 percentage point decrease in chronic absenteeism.
5. Work-based Learning Growing
In the 2024-25 school year, 45% of all seniors or 15,154 students attained a work-based learning experience, a 19.5 percentage point increase and a 76% rate of increase over two years.
6. Schools in Need of Support Improving
With over 6,000 hours of Department school-based expert leadership support and classroom coaching and modeling, 32 of 35 Comprehensive schools improved, increasing an average of 5.4 percentage points in their overall accountability score.
With over 1,000 hours of consistent, school-based improvement support provided in partnership with the Department and Iowa’s AEA system, 136 of 377 Targeted schools identified in 2024 were able to exit Targeted status in 2025 by ensuring all students are supported in meeting high expectations.
Watch the press conference helping celebrate Iowa’s statewide success only made possible through the hard work of our students, teachers, families and communities here.
Director Snow recently announced the purchase of 50,000 additional Reading Assistant (Amira) seats to support English Learners and students in Tiers II and III. Governor Reynolds has further invested $2.5 million to expand Reading Assistant access to Tier I students in both public and accredited nonpublic schools. This expansion ensures all Iowa students benefit from high-quality literacy tools that strengthen reading skills. Schools will have access to these licenses through December 2026. After that date, the Department will continue providing Reading Assistant for English Learners and Tier II/III students in participating districts, while offering schools the option to extend Tier I access at a discounted rate.
Schools interested in participating may sign up at the Iowa EPS Learning webpage.
Please contact Literacy Consultant April Gosselink-Lemke at april.gosselink-lemke@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is opening registration for round seven of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS®) professional learning. Registration will run from Sept. 22, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2026, with courses beginning in Feb. 2026.
Eligible participants include:
- Early childhood public educators in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP), Shared Visions Preschool Program or other Early Childhood Special Education programs
- Administrators supporting these programs
- K–5 public educators and administrators
- Middle school special education teachers and reading interventionists
- Higher education faculty teaching literacy in Iowa teacher preparation programs
To optimize educator learning and implementation, please register:
More details are available on the Iowa LETRS webpage.
Please contact the Department LETRS team at IALETRS@iowa.gov with questions.
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Executive Order No. 14, launching a new phase for the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council to align with national STEM priorities and innovations like artificial intelligence (AI).
Key changes include:
- Restructuring the STEM Council to better reflect current needs
- Promoting AI literacy and ethical use among students and educators
- Expanding career exploration and work-based learning opportunities
- Pursuing broader goals such as equity and curriculum alignment with workforce needs
The STEM Bureau has already begun implementing these updates and will share more developments soon as this important work moves forward.
Please contact STEM Bureau Chief Justin Lewis at justin.lewis@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa’s state plan for meeting the requirements under the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education as submitted, effective for fiscal years 2026-29. The state’s planning process ran from July 2024 to June 2025 and included extensive stakeholder engagement. Based on public feedback, Iowa’s plan increases its Perkins reserve fund—used for statewide initiatives—from 3% to 7%.
Priority initiatives include:
- College and Career Transition Counselors (CCTCs)
- CTE educator professional development
- Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
- Industry-recognized credentials (IRCs)
- Work-based learning
These updates advance the Iowa Department of Education’s mission and vision by:
- Expanding industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning to broaden postsecondary pathways
- Strengthening the CTE teacher pipeline through recruitment and professional learning
- Introducing middle-grade CTE to reinforce early literacy and numeracy while building career awareness
- Promoting CTSOs to enhance leadership, employability skills, and equitable student participation
- Expanding regional career academies to increase access, particularly in rural areas
- Adopting the modernized National Career Clusters® Framework to contemporize the state’s approach and alignment for both CTE curriculum and teacher development
Please contact Community Colleges Bureau Chief Amy Gieseke at amy.gieseke@iowa.gov with questions.
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The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education invites you to the 2025 Iowa STEM Summit – Accelerating Innovation on Oct. 17 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.
This full-day event will bring together educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and STEM advocates from across Iowa to explore innovative strategies, share best practices, and hear from leaders advancing STEM education, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies. Register by Oct. 9 on the Department’s STEM Summit webpage.
Please contact the STEM team at Summit@iowastem.org with questions.
The Department will host the next Special Education Policy and Practice Webinar on Oct. 8, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. via Zoom. This session will provide an overview of assistive technology (AT) and accessible educational materials (AEM) in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
Participants will:
- Learn the concepts, policy, and case law that shape the use of AT and AEM in schools
- Explore essential IEP components with practical, cross-discipline examples
- Understand accurate documentation practices to support student success
The webinar is organized into three sections:
- Access and participation
- Administrative policy guidance
- Practical guidance for AT and AEM within ACHIEVE
Time will be reserved for participant questions. Join each webinar on Zoom using the passcode 431127. No registration is required.
All 2025-2026 webinar recordings and materials as well as resources from 2024-2025 are available on the Department’s Policy and Practice Webinar page.
Please contact the SDI Literacy Consultant Mary Beilke at mary.beilke@iowa.gov with questions.
Enhance your ability to lead special education programs through the Administrator Professional Learning Framework, a nine-session professional learning series with licensure renewal credits available. This series is aligned with Iowa’s Administrator Evaluator Course content and the Administrator of Special Education Professional Leadership Standards set by the Council of Exceptional Children. The course is designed for flexibility and relevance, blending both synchronous and asynchronous learning using a flipped classroom approach and virtual monthly in-person sessions. Participants will gain practical and legal expertise to confidently lead compliant, inclusive, and instructionally strong special education programs and services. Register for the course through this link.
Please contact Regional Special Education Director-Heartland Matt Cretsinger at matt.cretsinger@iowa.gov or Regional Special Education Director-Green Hills Ivan Gentry at ivan.gentry@iowa.gov with questions.
This foundational course is designed to support first-year and conditionally licensed special education teachers as they navigate the legal, ethical, and instructional responsibilities of their role. Participants will gain essential knowledge of federal and state special education laws, explore ethical decision-making, and learn how to apply Iowa’s SDI Framework to plan and deliver effective instruction. The course also builds fluency with the ACHIEVE system and procedural elements such as IEP development, LRE, behavior supports, and compliance documentation. Emphasizing collaboration with families and school teams, this course equips new teachers with the tools and confidence to provide high-quality, student-centered special education services. Register for this course through this link.
Please contact Regional Special Education Director-Central Rivers Amy Thoms-Starr at amy.starr@iowa.gov or Regional Special Education Director-Prairie Lakes Molly Elston at molly.elston@iowa.gov with questions.
The Statewide Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Practice Coach Network provides SDI Practice Coaches in all IDEA-Differentiated Accountability Level 2 and 3 designated school districts with the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and strengthen their coaching skills while supporting the implementation of the SDI Framework. Registration is now available.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Kelsey Teeter at kelsey.teeter@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department, in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development, is excited to continue its Work-Based Learning (WBL) Webinar Series for a second year. These webinars offer valuable insights and resources for schools, employers, and partners looking to strengthen real-world learning opportunities for students.
Upcoming Webinar: Growing Employer High School Internship Programs
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to expand and enhance internship offerings with local employers on Oct. 7, from 3:30-4.30 pm via Zoom.
To access past webinars, view the full schedule, or register for upcoming sessions, visit the Department’s Career-Connected Learning page.
Please contact Work-based Learning Consultant Jodie Smith at jodie.smith@iowa.gov with questions.
Registration is now open for the November 2025 Iowa College & Career Readiness Academy, Iowa’s only online interactive college and career courses, developed and updated by our state’s professionals. Through the academy, participants earn certificates and take classes for either license renewal or graduate credit, or they can participate for no cost/no credit. November offerings include:
- 101: Foundations of College & Career Readiness in Iowa
- 201: Creating Iowa's College & Career Readiness Culture
- 501: An Introduction to Planning, Accessing & Financing Postsecondary Opportunities
- 602: Supporting College & Career Readiness for Systems-Involved Youth
- 603 (self-paced): Supporting Graduation, College & Careers for English Learners
Registration and additional information can be found at the Iowa College & Career Readiness Academy website.
Please contact Community Engagement Consultant Megan Sibbel at megan.sibbel@iowa.gov with questions.
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New and returning STEM BEST schools are invited to apply by Nov. 10 for awards of up to $50,000 through the Department’s STEM BEST webpage.
The program connects teachers and industry professionals to co-develop curriculum and projects that prepare students for high-demand STEM careers in fields such as manufacturing, information technology, bioscience (agriculture and medicine), finance, and more.
Please contact STEM BEST Program Coordinator Tanya Hunt at tanya.hunt@iowa.gov with questions.
Colleagues, parents, students, administrators, and community members are encouraged to submit nominations for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Google, through Oct. 22. One full-time classroom teacher (75% or more in the classroom) from each of Iowa’s six STEM regions will be honored. Each awardee will receive $1,500 for classroom use and $1,500 for personal use.
Learn more and submit a nomination on the Iowa STEM Teacher Award webpage.
Please contact STEM Communications Manager Jan Lockhart at jan.lockhart@iowa.gov with questions.
The Teach Iowa Scholar (TIS) Program application closes Oct. 31. TIS provides loan repayment or income bonus awards to qualified Iowa teachers who commit to teaching in designated shortage areas for five years. Awards are up to $4,000 annually, with a maximum of $20,000 over the five-year period.
Learn more on the Department’s Teach Iowa Scholar webpage.
Please contact the scholarships and grants team at grants.iowacollegeaid@iowa.gov with questions.
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Each year, districts may request a modified supplemental amount (MSA), or additional spending authority, from the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) to support at-risk, alternative school, returning dropout, and dropout prevention programs. This request generated more than $150 million statewide this year and impacts nearly all districts.
Under Iowa Code section 257.38, boards must approve an annual at-risk/dropout plan before submitting an MSA request. Plans must include:
- Program goals and objectives for the designated population
- Student identification criteria and procedures
- Staff in-service education design
- Staff utilization plans
- Evaluation criteria, procedures, and performance measures
- Qualifications of personnel delivering the program
- A program for at-risk students
- A process for identifying at-risk students
- A budget supporting the request to the SBRC
Reminder: Boards must approve both the request for additional spending authority and the at-risk/dropout plan (with all required components) each year. Failure to do so invalidates the district’s authority to request the additional spending authority.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Ted Bauer at Ted.Bauer@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is continuing school bus evacuation drill audits this year. Under Iowa Administrative Code r. 281.43(26), all students transported in a school vehicle must receive instruction in safe riding practices and participate in two emergency evacuation drills annually—one in the fall and one in the spring.
Districts attest to completion of these drills when submitting the Annual Transportation Report (due Sept. 15 following the school year).
Key requirements:
- Drills must include students in all grades.
- Drills must involve all transported students, not only those on regular bus routes but also those transported for field trips, activities, or other purposes.
- Districts must maintain documentation showing compliance for five years.
- Districts must ensure records are complete and readily available to support a smooth audit process.
Please contact State Director of Pupil Transportation Tom Simpson at tom.simpson@iowa.gov with questions.
The Letter of Agency (LOA) establishes that applicant entities have authorized the individual identified in the letter to act on their behalf.
Many Iowa districts, schools, and libraries currently use equipment and fiber connections to the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). Each year, the Iowa Department of Education files an E-Rate consortium application to support the state-funded cost of this equipment and connection. There is no cost to your district and you will not receive any bills related to this service.
This October, LOA certification letters will be shared with LEAs that have ICN equipment and connections. These letters are expected to be delivered through CASA in mid-October, with additional details forthcoming.
Key updates:
- The LOA certification period has been extended from three years to five years.
- Your district will continue to file independently for E-Rate discounts on Internet services and Category 2 products/services. The Department will not file for these on your behalf.
- Districts and schools that participate in E-Rate but no longer use ICN connections do not need to complete the LOA.
Please contact Chief Financial Officer Sandi Hurtado-Peters at sandra.hurtado-peters1@iowa.gov or Iowa E-Rate Coordinator Pam Jacobs at pam.jacobs@iowa.gov with questions.
The USDA issued a final rule in April 2024 that requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to limit purchases of non-domestic commercial food items. For school year (SY) 2025-26, the cap on non-domestic commercial food purchases is 10% of the total commercial food costs.
SFAs have historically been required to purchase domestic products to the maximum extent possible and have had to keep a log of non-domestic food purchases. The USDA recently developed a Buy American Exceptions Tracking Standard Form Template that may be used to meet the exceptions log requirement, as well as track the percentage of commercial food costs from non-domestic food purchases.
In the spring of 2025, the USDA issued a policy memo allowing an accommodation if non-domestic food purchases exceed the 10% Buy American Cap for SY 2025-26. Schools may request this waiver from the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services by completing the SY 2025-26 School Food Authority Buy American Temporary Accommodation Request Form. This form requires documentation indicating how the school is progressing towards compliance and showing the 10% was exceeded in SY 2024-25 or will be exceeded in SY 2025-26.
Please contact the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services school nutrition consultants with questions.
Federal regulation requires schools to maintain a local school wellness policy. To support implementation, the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services has developed a new resource: Local Wellness Policy Outreach Toolkit. This toolkit provides customizable outreach materials to help school staff engage parents and staff in wellness committees and inform school communities about the benefits of a healthy school environment and a strong wellness policy.
The toolkit empowers staff and students by providing structure, knowledge, and skills to make healthy choices and promote a culture of wellness throughout the school.
Please contact the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services school nutrition consultants with questions.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires districts that receive federal funds to establish procedural safeguards for students who, because of a disability, need—or are believed to need—special instruction or related services (34 C.F.R. § 104.36).
These safeguards, also called Section 504 due process procedures, must include:
- Notice to parents or guardians
- An opportunity for parents or guardians to review relevant records
- An impartial hearing with the right for parents or guardians to participate and be represented by counsel
- A review procedure following the hearing
All districts are encouraged to review their Section 504 policies and procedures regularly to ensure compliance with state and federal civil rights laws.
Please contact Administrative Consultant SueAnn Johnson at sueann.johnson@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa’s regional enforcement office for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has changed. It is now located at: Office for Civil Rights – Denver Office, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695, Fax: (303) 844-4303; TDD: (800) 877-8339, Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
Districts that include this information in their nondiscrimination notices, grievance policies and procedures and other relevant policies and materials should update this information promptly.
Additional information can be found at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights webpage.
Please contact Administrative Consultant SueAnn Johnson at sueann.johnson@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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