Public News Service

In addition to consolidating the power of Iowa's nine Area Education Agencies at the state level, House Bill 2612 creates a new process for agency accreditation. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

IA cuts historical rural school groups

Educators and public school advocates are pushing back on a measure which would consolidate state-funded services that have been an important part of …

The Race for Results report groups child well-being indicators into four areas: early childhood, education and early work experiences, family resources and neighborhood context. (Annie E. Casey Foundation Race for Results report)

Report shows Iowa kids of color fare worse than white peers

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found while children of color in Iowa fare slightly better than their white peers nationally…

In its annual reports, the Annie E. Casey Foundation notes indicators of child well-being are derived from federal government statistical agencies and reflect the best available state and national data for tracking yearly changes. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Ranks High in Healthy Kids Report, but Advocates Seek Improvement

Compared to other states, Iowa ranks sixth nationally in overall child well-being, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, released today by the …

One of four Americans volunteers, and two of three Americans help their neighbor, according to a study performed by The Corporation for National and Community Service. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Volunteers Seek to Boost Literacy This Month

April is Global Volunteer Awareness Month, and in Iowa advocates are calling on people to donate books and their time to help kids learn to read them…

A new report says during the pandemic, Iowa's Black, Latino and multiracial households with children were three times as likely as white households to worry about making their next rent or mortgage payment. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Ranking, Pandemic Clouds IA's Child Well-being Outlook

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa gets some high marks in the latest 50-state report on children's wellbeing, but the annual findings show the pandemic is …

An annual child well-being report says among the concerns for Iowa is that 35% of kids ages 10 to 17 are considered overweight or obese, which is above the national average. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Slips in Rankings for Children's Well-Being

DES MOINES, Iowa - An annual report that ranks each state for indicators of child well-being says Iowa has fallen behind in some areas. The 2020 …

Children aged 6 to 17 years old should do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, according to guidelines from the federal government. (skeeze/Pixabay)

Iowa's New PE Standards Promote Lifelong Fitness

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa schools are introducing new physical education standards this school year that provide teachers with a framework to …

To improve the well-being of kids, Iowa should boost the percentage of young children attending preschool, according to a new report. (iowaccrr.org)

Iowa Ranks 3rd in Nation for Child Well-Being

DES MOINES, Iowa – An annual report measuring the well-being of children ranks Iowa third among all 50 states based on indicators in four areas…

A new report shows only 3 percent of Iowa's children were without health care coverage in 2017. (Pixabay)

Iowa Ranks Fifth in 2018 National Child Well-Being Report

DES MOINES, Iowa – A report released today on child well-being across the country says the news is mostly good for Iowa kids when it comes to …

Reading proficiency for Iowa students in kindergarten through third grade improved from 63.4 percent in 2017 to 67.6 percent in 2018. (Pixabay)

Don't Let Iowa Kids' Improved Reading Skills Slide This Summer

DES MOINES, Iowa – An "early warning system" that monitors how well Iowa kids are learning to read in kindergarten through third grade is …

A new study shows children think scientists are both men and women until they start first grade, and begin to associate science with males. (Pixabay)

Children's Perceptions of Who Can Be a Scientist Are Changing

DES MOINES, Iowa – Think of a scientist: if you were asked to draw that scientist in the 1960s, you almost certainly drew a male - but a new …

African-American children face some of the greatest barriers to success, especially in the South and Midwest, according to the annual

Report: Barriers to Success Still Pervasive for Minority Children in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – The civil-rights era ended fifty years ago but an annual report indicates that significant barriers still exist for children …

DMACC Newton Campus is offering a new, one semester Early Childhood Education certificate program. (Pixabay)

DMACC Newton Campus Rises to Child Care Challenges

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's economy is bouncing back, creating an increased demand for qualified child care providers. And a central Iowa …

Summer programs are helping Iowa middle schoolers become interested in STEM to close the state's skills gap. (DMACC)

"Kids College" Aims to Close the Skills Gap in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - Economic change has meant more jobs requiring higher levels of skill and education and according to the Iowa Department of …

The Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work program is meant to show kids the value of an education and a balanced work and family life. (daughtersandsonstowork.org)

Helping Iowa Kids Shape their Futures by Taking Them to Work

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Girls and boys of all races and economic circumstances in Iowa get a first look at options they might not otherwise consider for …

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland will close its Dubuque location and move staff to Cedar Rapids in order to better address patient needs. (Planned Parenthood)

Planned Parenthood Shifts Resources to Meet Client Needs

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Planned Parenthood is closing its location in Dubuque not because of a lack of demand there, but because there's more demand in Cedar …

One of the major issues facing the Iowa Legislature again this session is funding for K-12 schools. (cynthia357/morguefile)

Legislative Battle Over School Funding Looms Again

WATERLOO, Iowa - Last year's extended legislative session led to a bipartisan consensus to provide one-and-a-quarter percent more money for education…

PHOTO: A brighter future for more than 100,000 Iowa children living in poverty requires a focus on both the kids and their parents, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report. Photo credit: David Amsler/Flickr.

Helping Iowa Kids in Poverty Takes a Two-Generation Approach

DES MOINES, Iowa - After some improvements in the 1990s, the poverty rate for kids in Iowa has been on the rise over the last decade or so, and a new …

PHOTO: With the growing cost of child care, efforts are underway in Congress to provide more financial supports for low-income and working families. Photo credit: Todd Hryck / Flickr.

Congress Looks to Cut Cost of Child Care

DES MOINES, Iowa - As the cost of child care continues to grow, so does the chorus of voices calling on Congress to take action. For many working …

PHOTO: Dr. Laurie Jeans says there are a number of behavioral and developmental deficits present in children at age two, that are predictive of an autism spectrum diagnosis by age four. Photo credit: M. Kuhlman.

Iowa Doctor: Autism Diagnosis Possible as Early as Age 2

DES MOINES, Iowa - New research suggests that autism can be identified earlier than previously thought, in children as young as age two. The study …

PHOTO: A new scorecard on the progress of children in Iowa shows the need to create more opportunity for kids of color. Photo credit: Victoria Harjadi.

Giving All Iowa Children Equal Opportunity to Thrive

DES MOINES, Iowa - The face of Iowa is changing, and as the state becomes more diverse, a new report shows, more efforts are needed to make sure all …

PHOTO: More and more children across Iowa and the U-S are expected to gain dental care, as it is an essential benefit under the Affordable Care Act. Photo credit Carl Wycoff

Reason to Smile: More Iowa Children Expected to See the Dentist

DES MOINES, Iowa - It is the most common chronic childhood disease, but across Iowa and the nation there are new requirements that could help take a …

PHOTO: For children in Iowa and across the country to succeed, it's critical that they have support in areas like education and health in their first eight years. Photo credit: Aaron McIntyre

First 8 Years Crucial for Life Success of Iowa Children

DES MOINES, Iowa - It is a window of time that can see a child set on a path to success in school and life, and a new report says that's why it's so …

PHOTO: At times it can seem little more than controlled chaos, but when it comes to roughhousing, be it peer to peer, or parent and child, there are numerous benefits. CREDIT: Sharon Mollerus

Letting Kids Be Kids - The Benefits of Roughhousing

DES MOINES, Iowa - It's an order that has passed the lips of many a parent - "Quit that horsin' around!" But a better option may be to loosen the …

PHOTO: This fall, a new state initiative kicks off designed to help the parents of children with developmental disabilities close the achievement gap before they get to school. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith

Helping Kids With Developmental Disabilities Long Before School

DES MOINES, Iowa – Starting in September the Iowa Department of Education is going to provide educators, therapists and others training to help …

GRAPHIC: Children � and adults � are urged to resist the tantalizing images on entertainment screens for one week, starting April 29. Courtesy CCFC.

Fewer Screens, More “Free-Range Children”

DES MOINES, Iowa – It's Screen-Free Week through Sunday, an annual effort by children's advocates to free children from the grip of electronic …

Iowa Listed Among Top States for Commitment to Pre-K Education

DES MOINES, Iowa - Even though Iowa is dealing with budget shortfalls, an analysis of funding for pre-kindergarten (pre-k) programs shows Iowa …

Report: Outdoor Time Boosts Academic Performance for IA Kids

DES MOINES, Iowa - Back-to-school has traditionally meant less outdoor time for children, and a new report from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)…

Nat'l Summer Learning Day: Extreme Makeover for IA Summer School?

Today (Monday), is National Summer Learning Day. Schools and programs around the state are hosting events and activities to highlight the importance …

Preschool Programs Translate to School Readiness

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa lawmakers in next year's session will be asked to spend $113 million to expand the current voluntary public preschool program …

A Third of Iowa 4th Graders Not Proficient in Reading

DES MOINES, Iowa - Getting the new report card from the National Assessment of Educational Progress is tough for Iowans. It shows roughly 31 percent …

Report: IA Late to the Table for School Breakfast

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Iowa is late to the table when it comes to school breakfasts - often said to be the most important meal of the day for kids …

IA Kids Count Data Out Today

DES MOINES, Iowa - The 2009 Kids Count Data Book that looks at child well-being in Iowa and nationwide will be released today. Nationally, …

Analysis: Stimulus Package Could Ease Need for Spending Cuts

Des Moines, IA – The economic downturn likely means more Iowans losing jobs and needing social services at a time when the state budget is …

Putting Kids Front and Center with the Candidates

Des Moines, IA – A new website aims to elevate child policy issues with presidential candidates and voters alike. It is now up and running…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 19, 2024

2024Talks - April 19, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 18, 2024

IA: Early Childhood Education