What is the Iowa Department of Education's role in class size reduction?
The Iowa Department of Education is required to:
- Identify diagnostic assessment tools for K-3 that can be used to assist teachers in measuring reading accuracy and fluency skills including, but not limited to, phonemic awareness, oral reading ability and comprehensive skills.
- Serve as a clearinghouse on intensive, research-based strategies and programs for training teachers in both diagnosis and appropriate instruction interventions. This responsibility is to be done in collaboration with AEAs, school district and teacher practitioner programs.
- Identify programs and materials by which parents may support classroom reading instruction.
- Annually report to the legislature:
- The statewide average school district class size, by grade level and by district size;
- The statewide progress made toward achieving early intervention program goals;
- How school districts are using the early intervention program funds.