Articles from 11/2020

A literacy screening tool for preschoolers is now available to districts and their community partners at no cost. Called myIGDIs, which stands for Individual Growth and Development Indicators, the screening tool is designed to identify preschoolers who may be at risk in the area of early literacy, so that future dif…

There’s no question that, especially this year, all teachers deserve to be Iowa Teacher of the Year. Still, only one can be named, and nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Past Teachers of the Year say the experience is well worth the process. Chris Burke, Iowa’s 2018 Teac…

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today released the latest edition of its annual report containing state-level data and information on Iowa’s schools. The Annual Condition of Education report includes data on preschool-through-12th grade student populations and demographics, academic achievement, po…

Students are urged to apply for the United States Senate Youth Program, which is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. This year’s program will take place entirely online during the week of March 15. Two student leaders from each stat…

Applications are being accepted through Dec. 31 for the Career Academy Incentive Fund. The fund provides targeted grants to support partnerships between school districts, community colleges, business and industry and other partners that expand access to career academy programs, with a focus on programming delivered …

The Iowa Department of Education’s ongoing equity webinars have been updated into January. All sessions run from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and registration for each is required.  Note that one session in December will feature students who will talk about their in-school experiences. Join us to explore these all-importa…

Turkey Valley students dig into their data to determine what is the best route for a major corporation to take when it comes to using devices. A major transportation company based in Des Moines had a business proposition to explore: Do they want to pay for computers that can cost up to $1,600 a piece for…

The benefits and opportunities of registered apprenticeship programs are being showcased through events held this week as part of National Apprenticeship Week, which runs Nov. 8-14. Now in its sixth year, the week is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities and educators the opportunity to draw at…

It’s been 101 years since Veterans Day’s precursor, Armistice Day, came into being. It honored the end of World War I. By 1938, Veterans Day became a national holiday, honoring all American veterans, living and dead. With Veterans Day being next week on Nov. 11, educators have numerous resources at their fing…

The pandemic threw all business owners for a loop. It was no different at the Waterloo Career Center, a part of the Waterloo Community School District. Just two months before COVID-19 hit, high school students debuted a convenience store wholly operated by them. Then the pandemic hit and the store shuttered, sen…