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The U.S. Department of Education’s waiver approval marks a major milestone in advancing Iowa’s Unified Allocation Plan, making Iowa the first state in the nation to receive federal approval under the “Returning Education to the States” initiative. Announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon alongside Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow, the approval grants Iowa flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to redirect federal resources away from compliance and toward strategies that directly improve student outcomes. The waivers are expected to reduce administrative burden and allow nearly $8 million over four years to be redirected to classrooms, supporting Iowa’s focus on academic achievement, teacher support, and student success.
The approved waivers allow Iowa to consolidate state-level ESEA funds from multiple programs into a single block grant, expand flexibility for districts in the use of Title I and Title IV funds, and streamline federal reporting requirements. Together, these changes enable more strategic, multi-year investments in evidence-based literacy instruction, support for English learners, student enrichment, and other high-impact initiatives, while maintaining transparency and accountability. This first step positions Iowa to demonstrate the impact of increased flexibility and continue building momentum toward a more efficient, student-centered approach to using federal education funds. For more information please visit the Iowa’s Unified Allocation Plan website.
Please contact Bureau Chief Jillian Dotson at jillian.dotson@iowa.gov with questions.
Woodbine Elementary Principal Jill Ridder was honored with the National Milken Educator Award for Iowa during a surprise assembly on Jan. 22. Director McKenzie Snow joined Milken Educator Award Senior Vice President Jane Foley in presenting Ridder with the award in front of fellow educators, students and past Milken awardees.
The prestigious Milken Educator Awards have been presented to more than 3,000 exceptional K-12 teachers across the country for nearly 40 years to celebrate and inspire excellence in the field of teaching. Principal Ridder is Iowa's 49th recipient since the state first joined the Milken Educator Award program in 1993 and returned to the program in the 2023-24 school year. She is Iowa's sole 2025-26 Milken Educator Award recipient and one of 30 outstanding educators across the country being honored this year.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Molly McConnell at molly.mcconnell@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Educators, administrators, students, families, and other community partners are encouraged to nominate an outstanding K–12 teacher through Feb. 27.
Nominated teachers will be invited to submit an application and supporting materials for further consideration. Each nomination will be reviewed by a selection committee, and nine finalists—representing all education regions of the state—will be named Regional Teachers of the Year. Following an interview process with education leaders, one of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be selected as the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year.
Additional information can be found on the Department’s Iowa Teacher of the Year webpage. Visitors can find a full list of the 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year, past Iowa Teachers of the Year and details on the nomination process.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Stefanie Wager at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is seeking qualified individuals to participate in a performance standard-setting process for the next generation of the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). In 2024, the State Board of Education adopted updated, rigorous academic standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. These standards define what all students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level. To support clarity and family understanding, the four 2026 assessment achievement levels will be as follows:
- Below grade level expectations
- Approaching grade level expectations
- Meeting grade level expectations
- Exceeding grade level expectations
Additional information about changes to the ISASP performance levels can be found here. The performance standard-setting event will take place June 8–12 in Des Moines. The Department is recruiting approximately 170 individuals with knowledge and expertise in the updated academic standards in ELA and Mathematics. Participants will receive a $200 per day honorarium, and travel expenses (including lodging) will be covered.
Applications are open until Feb. 9 at 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Assessment Consultant Heather Briggs at heather.briggs@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa Code 256.16(1) requires teacher candidates in state-accredited educator preparation programs to take–not pass for program completion or licensure–the Foundations of Reading test. This test checks how well future teachers responsible for teaching reading understand the Science of Reading and evidence-based literacy instruction basics. In the first year of implementation, the state average passage rate was 46%. Now, the Department is implementing a tiered Accountability and Continuous Improvement framework to support teacher preparation program improvement, building off of best practices in its successful school improvement framework. This work helps ensure new teachers enter the classroom fully prepared to deliver evidence-based literacy instruction and raise overall passage rates. The program-level results can be found on the Department website.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Maryam Rod Szabo at maryam.rodszabo@iowa.gov with questions.
Thirty-six percent of Iowa high school seniors from the class of 2026 have filed their FAFSA applications, which is 18.4% higher than the last application cycle. Iowa exceeds the national average in FAFSA completion by almost 3 percentage points, and the National College Attainment Network shows Iowa as 13th in the nation for FAFSA completion. Iowa's high school senior FAFSA completion rate continues to climb because of the hard work of our high schools, postsecondary institutions, and college access networks, supported by the Department’s Iowa College Aid team.
Please contact Community Engagement Consultant Elizabeth Yaddof at elizabeth.yaddof@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department will host Every Learner Forward, a no-cost professional learning conference at the Iowa Events Center, July 7–9. This three-day event will feature sessions designed to support educators in engaging all learners and promoting success across grade levels and content areas. Session topics will include:
- Engaging Learners with Access for All
- Engaging Learners with Emphasis on Scaffolding, Monitoring, and Accountability
- Language Support Strategies for English Learners
- Safe & Civil Early Stage Intervention (CHAMPS Extension)
- Specially Designed Instruction – Preschool, K–6 Literacy, Secondary Transition and Behavior
More details, including registration information and a full agenda, will be shared soon. Mark your calendars and plan to join us this summer!
Please contact Administrative Consultant Sarah Seney at sarah.seney@iowa.gov with questions.
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The Department has released the approved list of Area Education Agency (AEA) professional development offerings for the 2026–27 school year. In accordance with Iowa Code sections 256.9(36) and 273.2(3)b, this process is designed to ensure consistent, high-quality professional learning opportunities across the state that support the implementation and continuous improvement of Iowa’s strategic priorities.
The approved list reflects offerings that provide educators with relevant, evidence-based training to strengthen instruction and student outcomes. AEAs are authorized to begin providing professional development from this approved list as of Jan. 31.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Stephanie Nugent at stephanie.nugent@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is beginning the consultation process to develop a new, unified IDEA SE accountability system to:
- Align Iowa’s state special education accountability system (IDEA-DA) and the federal special education accountability system (IDEA, Part B accountability).
- Iowa school districts will only receive one special education accountability designation with a unified special education improvement plan.
- Align Iowa’s new, unified special education accountability system with Iowa’s 2024 unified ESEA accountability system (Iowa School Performance Profiles).
- Iowa school districts will only receive both a special education accountability designation and an ISPP designation, but will have coordinated special education and school improvement plans.
Thank you for engaging in initial consultation to support the Department’s work to operate no more than two accountability systems–one system under ESEA and one system under IDEA with coordinated identification and improvement supports. After the Department completes initial consultation, a statewide feedback survey will be conducted.
Please contact Division Administrator Leisa Breitfelder at leisa.breitfelder@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is hosting a statewide webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 11:00 a.m. to introduce the new IDEA, Part B application available in the EdPortal, which will be used to submit budgets and claims for use of IDEA, Part B funds previously issued through the AEA system. The intended audience is those who oversee the special education program, as well as the person who will submit the budget and the claims. Join the webinar on Zoom using passcode 529284.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Sarah Sheeder at sarah.sheeder@iowa.gov with application questions.
The Department will host the next Special Education Policy and Practice Webinar on Connecting Alternate Assessment to Instruction and Licensure on Feb. 11 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. via Zoom. The webinar provides an overview of key considerations when making instructional and assessment decisions for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Participants will review the policy on instructional licensure, examine practices related to determining when a student needs to participate in the alternate assessment and implications for instruction. Lastly, administrators will learn more about their role in monitoring implementation and student outcomes.
Join the webinar on Zoom using passcode 431127. No registration is required, and the same link will be used for all sessions.
Upcoming Webinar Dates and Topics:
- Extended School Year (ESY): March 11
- FAPE – Special Requests: April 8
- Dispute Resolution: May 13
- End-of-Year Program Evaluation (ACHIEVE) and Year-to-Year Data Comparison: June 10
Recordings, materials and resources from the 2025–26 and 2024–25 webinar series are available on the Department’s Policy and Practice Webinar webpage.
Please contact the SDI Literacy Consultant Mary Beilke at mary.beilke@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is starting a new special education webinar series focused on serving students with disabilities in accredited nonpublic schools. The first webinar will be on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. using the same Zoom link used for the Special Education Policy and Practice webinars: Join the webinar on Zoom using passcode 431127. No registration is required, and the same link will be used for all sessions.
The February webinar will be focused on the nonpublic school consultation process, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The audience for these webinars include nonpublic school administrators and staff as well as LEA and AEA administrators who work with nonpublic schools.
Please contact the Special Education Nonpublic School Liaison Janelle Danner at janelle.danner@iowa.gov with questions.
The ESEA Programs Bureau will host monthly virtual office hours on the second Thursday of each month from 2:30–3:30 p.m. These informal, drop-in style sessions provide LEAs with an opportunity to engage directly with ESEA Program Consultants to discuss topics such as:
- Unified Allocation Plan
- Reimbursement claims
- Applications
- Allowable uses of funds
- Allocations
- Equitable services
- Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA)
- Other program-related questions
Each program will host its own virtual office hours, and participants may join or exit program rooms at their convenience. There is no registration required, and Zoom links will be posted on the Department’s website.
The ESEA Programs Bureau is also posting monthly informational webinars covering a range of ESEA program topics, assisting districts in using ESEA funds effectively to address achievement gaps and strengthen student outcomes by applying best practices and ensuring compliance. The webinars will be made available on the Department’s Guidance and Allocations webpage.
Please contact Bureau Chief Jillian Dotson at jillian.dotson@iowa.gov with questions.
Register to join the next Work-Based Learning (WBL) webinar, Preparing Student-Learners for Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Careers, on Feb. 10 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. In this webinar, participants can learn more information about a student-learner program and how this type of work-based learning experience can be used to prepare students ages 16-17 years old for careers in construction, advanced manufacturing and more. The March 10 webinar will focus on incorporating industry-recognized credentials into work-based learning.
Visit the Department’s Career-Connected Learning webpage to explore upcoming webinar topics and watch recordings from previous webinar sessions.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Jodie Smith at jodie.smith@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa College and Career Readiness Academy participants help their schools and districts develop practices that lead to postsecondary success, ensuring that all students—especially low-income and first-generation—have access to postsecondary opportunities. These are Iowa’s only online interactive college and career courses, developed by our state’s professionals and based on current data. Iowa College and Career Readiness Academy is open to anyone working in the college access field.
Participants earn certificates and take classes for license renewal or graduate credit, or for no credit (free), and sessions occur Feb. 2-March 29.
Please contact Community Engagement Consultant Megan Sibbel at megan.sibbel@iowa.gov with questions.
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The Iowa Department of Education has launched the Iowa America 250 Student Contest, inviting students in grades 3–12 to share what America and its founding mean to them through creative expression. Open to students attending public or accredited nonpublic schools, the contest encourages participants to submit an essay, poem, or video. Students will choose from four prompts focused on creativity and innovation, people, places and events, or America’s founding principles. Entries will be judged within three grade bands—grades 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12—and submissions will be accepted through March 6.
Governor Reynolds will recognize the top three entries from each grade band at an awards ceremony in May 2026, and winning submissions will also be showcased at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The contest is part of Iowa’s broader America 250 initiative, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Additional details and submission guidelines are available on the Department’s Iowa America 250 Student Contest webpage.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Stefanie Wager at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department launched the Iowa Veterans Research Project, a new initiative encouraging middle and high school students to explore and honor the contributions of Iowa veterans through meaningful, hands-on learning. As part of the statewide Iowa America 250 initiative, the project invites students to research the lives and experiences of veterans, helping preserve their stories while deepening students’ understanding of history, citizenship, and civic responsibility.
Through classroom-based research and community connections, students may profile either living or deceased veterans, using interviews and resources from organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and local veterans’ hospitals or museums. The project provides educators and students with a structured, four-step research process, along with sample interview questions and supporting materials. Students are encouraged to creatively share their findings through written projects, infographics, audio recordings, videos, or digital platforms, with select projects featured on the Department’s website.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Stefanie Wager at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov with questions.
The Iowa STEM Council is launching a new chapter for its long-standing STEM Scale-Up Program, introducing a redesigned model aimed at deepening impact and ensuring long-term sustainability. First developed in 2012, the STEM Scale-Up Program has supported roughly a dozen offerings each year and helped thousands of educators deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned STEM units, reaching up to 100,000 students annually across the state.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 cycle, the program will pilot a three-year model featuring three high-quality, vetted offerings—one each in science, technology, and mathematics/engineering. The shift responds directly to educator feedback calling for greater focus, time, and sustained support. Awardees will be encouraged to commit to the full three-year cycle to maximize the benefits of long-term implementation and deeper immersion. Applications are expected to open soon, with additional details to be posted soon on the Department’s STEM webpage.
Please contact Bureau Chief Justin Lewis at justin.lewis@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is launching a School Bus Safety Poster Contest themed “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes” that will include four divisions for Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Computer-Aided Drawing.
- Poster entries are due to the Department by Friday, April 17.
- Statewide winners will be recognized in May for each of the divisions and will be submitted to the national contest.
- Printed posters of each division winner will be available for October’s School Bus Safety Week.
- Contest rules are available on the Department’s Iowa School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest webpage.
Please contact State Director for Pupil Transportation Tom Simpson at tom.simpson@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa’s new State School Safety Consultant will partner with the Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s School Safety Bureau to provide a coordinated, systems-based approach to support school safety. Superintendents and education leaders will have a centralized point of contact to support emergency planning, drills, threat-reporting procedures, and access to consistent statewide resources and best practices.
Additionally, the Department of Administrative Services is finalizing a statewide Master Services Agreement with GeoComm to establish a subscription model with pricing structured on a per-campus basis for GIS services for school districts. The current contract sunsets on April 26, 2026.
Please contact State School Safety Consultant Deanne Sesker at deanne.sesker@iowa.gov with questions.
The Shared Visions Preschool Grant provides state funding for programming serving children with at-risk factors. The Department will collect applications from eligible organizations including public schools, licensed nonprofit child care centers, Head Start agencies, community action agencies and other public nonprofit agencies until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Interested parties may review the funding opportunity within IowaGrants; additional information and resources are also available on the Department’s Shared Visions webpage.
Please contact Preschool Consultant Marianne Adams at marianne.adams@iowa.gov with questions.
The revision team for the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards has finalized a draft of the proposed standards, and the statewide public comment survey is now open. The Department will engage early childhood stakeholder groups throughout February. Stakeholders can access the survey through the Department’s webpages, as well as via email notices sent to district superintendents and preschool administrator contacts in CASA.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Mary Breyfogle at mary.breyfogle@iowa.gov with questions.
The first revision team for the Iowa Early Learning Standards review has concluded its meetings. The Department Team is working to prepare a draft proposal for review and public comment, including through a statewide survey. The Department has also released an application for members to join the second revision team focusing on the final content and language of the learning standards, which will meet this summer.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Mary Breyfogle at mary.breyfogle@iowa.gov with questions.
The Department is accepting applications for the 2026-27 Exchange Visiting Teachers from Spain program through March 20. Sponsored through a partnership between the Department and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain, the program provides opportunities for school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to fill vacant Spanish and dual-language teaching positions with highly qualified educators from Spain for a period of three to five years.
Application materials and additional information about the exchange program can be found on the Exchange Visiting Teachers from Spain program webpage.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Stefanie Wager at stefanie.wager@iowa.gov with questions.
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Following changes to Iowa Code section 280.17 last legislative session, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been conducting investigations into physical abuse claims in Iowa schools. In each case, the Bureau of Educational Examiners (BoEE) is initially involved by providing contact information to HHS of the superintendent and board secretary. Once a finding has been made by HHS, if the investigation determines the accusation is founded against a licensed staff member, a formal complaint is required to be submitted to the BoEE. Bureau staff will contact the superintendent and provide the necessary form.
Please contact Bureau of Educational Examiners Executive Director Mike Cavin at mike.cavin@iowa.gov with questions.
Building administrators may request the use of a substitute in an open position, or the use of an individual with a substitute authorization for an extended period of time throughout the year with the online request form. The home page of the Education Licensure website has a tab for Licensure Tips for Administrators. Descriptions of the various substitute authorities are outlined, and the tab provides links to online requests for substituting beyond the typical usage scenarios.
Please contact Board of Educational Examiners Consultant Josh Moser at josh.moser@iowa.gov with questions.
Each school district is required to complete the Policy and Practice Webinar Assurance Survey by Feb. 27. By completing this survey you are assuring an administrator within your school district has viewed the Jan. 14 Policy and Practice webinar focusing on discipline procedures for students with special needs.
Please contact Division Administrator Leisa Breitfelder at leisa.breitfelder@iowa.gov with questions.
Iowa Code section 257.38 requires a board-adopted program plan if a district is requesting a modified supplemental amount, or spending authority, from the School Budget Review Committee for at-risk, alternative school, returning dropout and dropout programs. The Department has received a number of questions regarding the required plan as well as the plan components, so a program plan outline has been made available and posted to the Department’s At-Risk web page, under the Resources section. Information regarding requirements surrounding the request as well as the program plans was also published in the September 2025 Superintendent and School Leader Update.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Ted Bauer at ted.bauer@iowa.gov with questions.
The 2025–2026 ESEA Programs Risk Assessment results were distributed to each school district selected for monitoring this year on Jan. 26. Additional resources, including the five-year monitoring schedule and informational webinar, are available on the Department’s ESSA Guidance and Allocations page.
Please contact Administrative Consultant Isbelia Arzola at isbelia.arzola@iowa.gov with questions.
Materials and resources are available for IDEA-DA Level 1 districts to support completion of the data review protocol and implementation plan in ACHIEVE. Open office hours are also available to Level 1 districts to ask questions and receive direct support. All districts (Levels 1, 2, and 3) are required to complete both the data review protocol and implementation plan by March 13.
Please contact Education Program Consultant Mary Beilke at mary.beilke@iowa.gov with questions.
The 2026 Legislative Session commenced on Jan. 12. Governor Reynolds delivered her Condition of the State address on Jan. 13, which was followed by the release of her fiscal year 2027 state budget recommendations.
The Department has pre-filed five bills this session:
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Instructional Quality (SSB3042, HSB554): consists of multiple system improvements to realize national best practices in serving advanced learners in Iowa, including greater consistency in identifying and serving gifted and talented students, establishing advanced mathematics pathways to allow students with high aptitude in math to complete Algebra I by no later than the end of 9th grade, and adopting acceleration protocols to presumptively enroll students in grades 4-12 who score in the advanced performance level/exceeds grade-level expectations on the statewide summative assessment in the next most rigorous English-language arts and/or mathematics course or program.
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HF2545 Task Force Recommendations (HSB572, SSB3049): seeks to implement the Task Force’s final recommendations, provided to the General Assembly on July 1, 2025, including expanding summer college credit opportunities and improved transferability of career and technical education credits between community colleges and Regent universities.
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Educator Quality (HF2230, SSB3048): proposes two advancements to ensure new teachers are better prepared to meet student needs. This includes stronger teacher preparation in supporting English learners and students with disabilities, and utilizing an end-of-program assessment (selected through a transparent, competitive request for proposals) to identify remediation opportunities for teacher candidates and program improvements for teacher preparation programs. Under this proposal, teacher candidates will NOT be required to pass the end-of-program assessment as a condition of completing the teacher preparation program or a condition of licensure.
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Education Administrative Enhancements (5499XD): requires a return-on-investment metric for public higher education institutions in the state, and strengthens reporting on enhanced, unit-level wage data to ensure Iowa is positioned to be a national leader in the implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program.
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Postsecondary Pathways (5500XD): strengthens community college systems through uniform adoption of a corequisite remedial education model, and greater consistency across institutions for common course numbering and general education learning objectives.
Since this is the second year of the 91st General Assembly, the session is scheduled for 100 days with April 21 set as the target date for adjournment. Other notable dates include the first and second legislative funnels, which are on Feb. 20 and March 20, respectively. The legislative funnels are procedural deadlines which serve to narrow the number of bills under consideration within each chamber.
Throughout the session, please see the Department’s legislative bill tracker (updated weekly) to view which bills the Department is monitoring.
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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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