Headlines

Schools will continue voluntary and required continuous learning plans while school buildings are closed DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced today that all school districts and nonpublic schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year and will continue to offer…

The state of Iowa has seven semifinalists for the prestigious 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars program. They are: Matthew Ding, Johnston High School, Johnston Animesh Suyash Joshi, Valley High School, West Des Moines Elizabeth Catherine Meyer, Heelan High School, Sioux City Cynthia Salinas Cappellano, Thomas…

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Education today announced that 506 school districts and accredited nonpublic schools submitted plans to offer continuous learning opportunities for students this week while their brick-and-mortar buildings are closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Continuous learning encompasses…

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Education today received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education allowing for flexibility in the use of federal funds to best meet the needs of students and educators during the COVID-19 national emergency.  The new flexibilities, authorized under the Coronavirus …

The U.S. Department of Education is providing states with funding flexibilities to best meet the needs of students and educators during the COVID-19 national emergency. The new flexibilities, authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, allow schools to repurpose existing K-12 educat…

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Education today released a host of optional resources for families and educators to use as they support student learning during school closures due to COVID-19. The resources are available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website and include interactive games, virtual field tr…

Due to the extraordinary circumstances created by COVID-19 and resulting school closures, the U.S. Department of Education notified states of an optional waiver for the 2019-2020 school year, of the assessment requirements in section 1111(b)(2) of the ESEA, the accountability and school identification requirements in s…

DES MOINES – In an effort to ease the burden on Iowa families and get food out to the students who need it at this critical time, the Iowa Department of Education has received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides flexibility for schools and organizations distributing meals through…

A student waves to the passing parade of teachers in Ankeny. His sign reads, “Hi Mrs. Cardin. I miss you.” Teacher parades – in which teachers jump into their cars and drive past students’ houses – are popping up across Iowa like corn kernels thrown into a fire. It comes as no surprise to famil…

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Board of Education’s next routine business meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, March 26. The meeting is scheduled to run from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Members of the public may join remotely through video conferencing or by telephone. Instructions for joining remotely are available in …