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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 …

Iowa families can apply for up to $7,600 a year for private school costs. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa lawmakers dismiss private school voucher ethics complaint

An ethics committee in the Republican-led Iowa House has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of community activists against a state lawmaker for hi…

The Center for Community News said a university investment model could be replicated elsewhere, saving struggling community papers that might otherwise be forced to shutter or sell. (Adobe Stock)

Two rural Iowa newspapers saved from extinction

The University of Iowa's daily newspaper has purchased two small-town papers as part of an attempt to keep local news alive in rural Iowa, while at …

Iowa ramps up push to register young voters

Election officials in Iowa are upping their efforts to increase political participation among the state's youngest voters. A registration event has …

Iowa aumenta 'presión' para registrar a votantes jóvenes

Los funcionarios electorales de Iowa están intensificando sus esfuerzos para aumentar la participación política entre los votantes m…

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…

U.S. Bureau of Labor data show more than 38% of the disability community ages 16-64 were employed in November 2023, in contrast to 75% of adults without disabilities who were employed. (Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council)

Iowans with disabilities ask lawmakers to protect special-ed funding

The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council has a wish list for the new legislative session. The group has just released its public-policy agenda…

Los datos de la Oficina de Trabajo de EE.UU. muestran que m�s del 38% de la comunidad de discapacitados de entre 16 y 64 a�os ten�an empleo en noviembre de 2023, en contraste con el 75% de los adultos sin discapacidades que ten�an empleo. (Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council)

Discapacitados de Iowa piden a legisladores proteger financiación de educación especial

El Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Iowa tiene una lista de deseos para la nueva sesión legislativa. El grupo acaba de publicar su …

The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer's Association offers programs to help families better understand what to expect, including changes in communication and behaviors, discussing dementia as a family and planning ahead for future financial and legal considerations. (Adobe Stock)

Alzheimer's Association warns of 'wandering' adults during holidays

The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is raising awareness of adults who get lost during the holidays. The group holds educational …

About 80 Ukrainian farmers learn best practices and ask questions during middle-of-the-night Zoom calls when ISU Swine Veterinarian Justin Brown teaches sessions on disease, biosecurity and feed management. (Iowa State University/Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders)

Iowa experts teach Ukrainian farmers

Livestock and grain experts in Iowa are sharing their experience with Ukrainian farmers who are trying to keep their hog operations viable despite the…

Around 43.5 million Americans have some form of federal or private student loan debt, which is 13% of the population, according to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Credit report. (Adobe Stock)

Iowans could see student loan fees eliminated in SAVE program

The U.S. Department of Education says more than 4 million Americans have enrolled in the Biden administration's college loan repayment program…

Technicians are crucial to keeping renewable wind energy solutions sustainable as they install, inspect and maintain the colossal turbines, which can cost anywhere from $2 million to $4 million each. (Adobe Stock)

Community College Trains Iowa Wind Energy Workers

A community college in rural Iowa is at the forefront of providing training for critical "green energy" jobs. Wind energy is among the fastest-…

In an average year, 302 people die and 489 are wounded by guns in Iowa. Iowa has the 38th-highest<br />rate of gun violence in the U.S., according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Iowans Face Rising Gun Violence

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

About $2.4 billion in federal funding has been announced for 139 infrastructure projects across Iowa, according to the Biden administration's Investing in America plan. (Adobe Stock)

Website Launched to Help Iowans Track $12 Billion in Federal Money

Progress Iowa has launched a website, allowing people to track federal money spent on critical projects in the state. The group aims to make it …

At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, roughly 31,000 students, or just .06% of the nation's 50 million public-school students, were participating in an ESA program, according to EdChoice. (Adobe Stock)

Private School Tuition Applications Double Expectations

Applications for the state's new private-tuition voucher program are double what lawmakers anticipated. Critics of the plan say it will divert even …

Iowa Wesleyan University was able to continue operating after receiving donations from alumni and a $26 million USDA loan. In 2023, the university's board of trustees voted unanimously in favor of closure after Gov. Kim Reynolds determined that a loan of $12 million would not be feasible. (Old Main Hall at Wesleyan University/Library of Congress)

Feds Call Loan, Rural Iowa University Shutters

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News Service Co…

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 …

More than 241,000 new apprentices entered the national apprenticeship system in 2021, and more than 593,000 are getting the skills they need to succeed while building financial security, according to the Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Awards $3.5M in Apprenticeship Money

Iowa Workforce Development is making millions of dollars available to train and retain employees in the state. It's one way officials are attempting …

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…

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person's eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may signal an eating disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. (Adobe Stock)

Specialists Raise Awareness During Eating Disorder Week

An estimated 291,000 Iowans suffer from eating disorders, which range from mild to lethal. Experts are spreading knowledge and information during …

Nearly 7 million students with disabilities in the U.S. make up 14% of national public school enrollment, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

IA School Vouchers Pose Challenges for Students with Disabilities

Advocates for Iowans with disabilities say a new "school choice" law could allow discrimination against students with disabilities. The bill …

Casi 7 millones de estudiantes con discapacidades en los EE. UU. representan el 14 % de la inscripci�n en las escuelas p�blicas nacionales, seg�n el Centro Nacional de Estad�sticas Educativas. (Adobe Stock)

Cheques escolares plantean desafíos para estudiantes con discapacidades en IA

Defensores de los habitantes con discapacidades de Iowa dicen que una nueva ley de "elección de escuela" podría permitir la discriminaci…

There are about 3.2 million public school teachers in the United States. Some 74.3% are female, while 25.7% are male. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: Voters Reject Tuition Vouchers, Voice Public School Support

A new poll commissioned by the American Federation of Teachers finds most voters strongly oppose private school vouchers, which allow families to …

Half of U.S. parents (52 percent) considered finding a new or different school for at least one of their children within the past year or are currently considering finding a new or different school for at least one of their children. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Governor Makes "School Choice" a Top Priority

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed a measure that would allow Iowa parents to send their kids to private schools and make state money …

College enrollment totaled 15.85 million undergraduate students nationwide in Fall 2020, a 4.31% decline, according to the Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Rural Colleges Cut, Consolidate Classes

Students choosing a college next semester are faced with new challenges and difficult choices. The current economic climate is forcing many higher-…

Construction Manager, electrician and radiation technician are among the trade jobs most in demand, according to the website Trade-schools.net. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Invests in Training for Non-Degree Job Fields

Fewer students are enrolling in Iowa's state universities, and the State Board of Regents is meeting this week to discuss ways to change that…

So far in 2022, there have been 558 mass shooting incidents in the United States, including two in Iowa, according to the Gun Violence Archive. They are categorized as

Second Iowa School District Allows Staff to Carry Guns

Though its campuses have not experienced serious gun violence to date, the Cherokee Community School Board is now the second in Iowa to allow school …

In the past year, school districts have been pressured by conservative groups to weed out certain teachings about race. But others say there should be more concern about the lack of civics curriculum. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Civics Education Needed Now More Than Ever

Over the weekend, communities in Iowa observed the 21st anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Since those historic events, political tension has escalated…

Adding fruits to water is a natural way to add flavor without adding gobs of sugar to the drink. (Adobe Stock)

Health Experts: Avoid Packing Sugary Drinks in School Lunches

It's back-to-school time for kids around Iowa, and some might gravitate toward soda and other drinks with lots of sugar. As parents start lunch …

An annual report on child well-being finds Iowa has some stronger results in education, including the percentage of high school students graduating on time. But certain proficiency metrics drag down the state's overall performance. (Adobe Stock)

IA Child Well-Being Report: Trouble Spots in Education

Some measurements of children's well-being show warning signs in Iowa in the area of education. The numbers contrast with Iowa's overall ranking in a …

IA Youths with Disabilities Help Leadership Academy Make Strides

Nearly a dozen Iowa youths with disabilities are taking newly developed leadership skills out into the world. A summer academy wrapped up this month…

Beyond school counselors, parents and private providers, mental-health advocates urge faith-based and other community groups to provide safe spaces for kids dealing with stress and anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

IA Mental Health Voices: The Kids Aren't All Right

As the school year winds down, education leaders are shedding light on increased mental-health demands among students, including thoughts of suicide…

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified more than 39,000 Iowa students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

'Degrees When Due' Helps IA College Students Get Back on Track

Iowa has seen a 5% increase in the number of college students who left school without a degree. But some campuses are making it a priority to help …

Health professionals say trans youth attempt suicide at much higher rates than their peers, and that sports serve as a way to cope with any trauma they've dealt with because of their gender identity. (Adobe Stock)

IA Transgender Sports Bill Moves Forward

Iowa has entered the fray of states debating the issue of restricting transgender students from competing in girls' sports. Backers of a ban said …

Iowa's Republican leaders say the state should pursue more tax cuts with a budget surplus in hand. But some groups say that approach would end up leaving working families behind. (Adobe Stock)

IA Lawmakers Urged to Prioritize Equity Over Controversy

Education reform and tax cuts were among the ideas in Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address on Tuesday, but advocates for marginalized …

In a national survey, 50% of school transportation coordinators said the rate of pay is a major factor that affects their ability to recruit and retain school bus drivers. (Adobe Stock)

Better Pay, Community Trust Linked to School Bus Driver Shortage

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- Iowa school districts are reporting bus driver shortages as the academic year gets underway. Transportation officials said more …

A new national report says 48% of officials who faced recall campaigns in the first half of 2021 were school board members. (Adobe Stock)

Divisive Campaign Rhetoric Trickles Down to Local Races

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - A new Ballotpedia report shows a nationwide spike in efforts, largely led by right-wing groups, to recall school board members …

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 …

Aside from the most recent session, public-policy groups say Iowa government has been slow to increase the state's minimum wage, which has sat at $7.25 for more than a decade. (Adobe Stock)

IA Legislative Session Gets Mixed Reviews

DES MOINES, Iowa - Many laws and budget priorities passed by the Iowa Legislature soon will be implemented, but a nonpartisan research and policy …

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Iowa Refuerza Herramienta Financiera para Personas con Discapacidades

MASON CITY, Iowa - Iowa actualizó una ley cuyos partidarios dicen que da más flexibilidad financiera a la gente que vive con discapacidaes…

Of the roughly $1.6 trillion worth of student-loan debt in the United States, more than $336 billion belongs to borrowers aged 50 and older. (Adobe Stock)

Student-Loan Debt Not Just an Issue for Younger Adults

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The fastest-growing age group of those carrying student loan debt might surprise you. Amid calls for the Biden administration to …

A total of five public school districts in Iowa, including Davenport, Des Moines and Waterloo, have adopted diversity plans to shield against too many students leaving for other districts. (Adobe Stock)

IA Bill Decried as Attack on School Diversity Plans

DES MOINES, Iowa - Several Iowa school districts have plans in place to help keep their student populations diverse. Supporters of those plans say a …

As in other parts of the country, Iowa education leaders are trying to figure out ways to prevent students learning remotely from falling too far behind during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock) As in other parts of the country, Iowa education leaders are trying to figure out ways to prevent students learning remotely from falling too far behind during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Effects of Distance Learning Show Up on Iowa Report Cards

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Public schools across the country say they're seeing more failing grades as many students continue with distance learning. In Iowa…

According to the Urban Institute, Iowa's expansion of registered apprenticeships for 16- to 24-year olds led to 4,500 new apprentices between 2016 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)

IA Apprenticeship Program Touted as Career Launching Point

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa is one of only a handful of states to push for a statewide apprenticeship program. And a non-partisan research group says it …

In a new national survey, 40% of high school seniors who already have decided on where to go for college say they are not receiving adequate information about how COVID-19 may affect their enrollment. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Universities Monitoring How Pandemic Will Affect Fall Enrollment

AMES, Iowa -- The coronavirus pandemic could have a lasting impact on certain facets of society, including higher education. Two of Iowa's largest …

State leaders and education advocates are debating how much money to fund the nearly 500-thousand public school students in Iowa. (somethingholden/Morguefile)

IA School Superintendents: Small Funding Increases Won't Do

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa lawmakers kicked off the 2020 legislative session this week and already, school funding has become a key topic. The state has …

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is among several presidential hopefuls to take part in candidate forums co-hosted by Des Moines Area Community College. (DMACC)

IA College Students Learn About 2020 Election Up Close

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopefuls have been crisscrossing Iowa in hopes of claiming victory in the upcoming caucuses. Some of their …

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says the new partnership between Des Moines Area Community College and the University of Northern Iowa will increase access to higher education. (dmacc.edu)

Iowa's Population Issues a Concern For College Officials

DES MOINES, Iowa — A community college official says academic institutions in Iowa have to get creative to avoid losing students amid overall …

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IA: Education