Iowa Department of Education

Register by May 21! Educators and administrators who support learners with disabilities are invited to register for two upcoming training opportunities, Teaching for Impact and Leading for Impact. Both trainings will be held on June 5-6 in Des Moines and are free to registered participants. #ElevateEducators #Teaching4Impact https://lnkd.in/gn3RF5rF

Congratulations to Laura Brecht, agriculture educator and FFA advisor at College Community School District’s Prairie High School! She has been named as the recipient of the 2025 Golden Owl Award, which honors the top Iowa agriculture educator. #CelebrateTeachersIA https://bit.ly/4cHB6iE

This week, Director McKenzie Snow and others from the Department of Education attended the 97th Annual FFA Leadership Conference in Ames. She addressed thousands of FFA members and guests from across the state as they gathered at Hilton Coliseum to celebrate ag education in Iowa, showcase their skills, participate in leadership development, network with other student leaders and ag industry professionals and grow in fellowship. FFA is Iowa’s largest Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with over 20,000 student members. FFA helps students explore the vast array of career opportunities in agriculture and the multiple pathways to achieve their goals. Iowa FFA Foundation National FFA Organization Iowa FFA Association #AgEducation #CTE #ChooseYourPathwayIA

Iowa schools can now apply for the Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant to help establish or expand therapeutic classrooms, which assist learners whose emotional, social or behavioral needs interfere with their success in the learning environment. Deadline is May 1. https://bit.ly/4hkm3Ms

Nine Iowa high school students have been announced as semifinalists for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. https://lnkd.in/gWgEqbdc

ICYMI: See how Council Bluffs music teacher increased student enrollment through new guitar and modern band classes. https://bit.ly/41wAMhx

Congratulations to Ottumwa High School on being named a 2024 ACT American College Application Campaign (ACAC) School of Excellence! Ottumwa High School was one of just 26 schools in the nation to be recognized as an ACAC School of Excellence this year for its commitment to increasing the number of first-generation college students and students from underrepresented populations who pursue a postsecondary degree or other higher education credential. Since the honor was first awarded in 2020, only 112 schools in the nation have earned the School of Excellence designation, with six of them hailing from Iowa. Staff from the Department's Bureau of Iowa College Aid and ACT formally presented the staff with their award Tuesday afternoon. #PostsecondaryPathwaysIA

Iowans are invited to submit feedback on the four-year Perkins V State Plan, which outlines secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. Public comment will be accepted through April 21. https://bit.ly/4iA8Lgt

It’s School Library Month and National Librarian Day! Thank you to the school librarians and library associates across Iowa for providing opportunities for students to learn, explore and strengthen their literacy skills through books, media and other resources. You are helping students unlock their unlimited potential for future success. #LiteracyChangesLivesIA

The 2025-26 FAFSA application form has been officially released at fafsa.gov! The FAFSA application provides access to financial aid, grants and scholarships for postsecondary education. Learn more about FAFSA today! #PostsecondaryPathwaysIA https://lnkd.in/gH5g2TVZ