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Five professional development modules supporting the implementation of Iowa’s new fine arts standards are under development, according to Angela Matsuoka, fine arts consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. Matsuoka expects that the modules will be ready for educators’ use by the end of summer. “Somethin…

Leaders of Indianola Community School District’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) program have been focused on using data to improve the implementation of their program since the district was first funded three years ago. But this year they are sharpening that focus to examine the data that will help them as…

This summer, I’ll celebrate 20 years as an educator, 18 years of marriage and three years as director of the Iowa Department of Education. Anniversaries are cause for gratitude, reflection and aspiration. Many of you are celebrating similar personal and professional milestones, and to you I say, “Happy anniversary!…

The power of electricity isn’t just measured in watts. At this construction camp for girls, it’s also measured in enthusiasm. Hoover High School student, Haylee Flynn works on an ethernet cable during the Construction Camp for girls. “I enjoy working with my hands and building things,” said Ha…

Zachry Christensen and Ashley Flatebo have been selected to receive Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Christensen is an interventionist and instructional coach at Perkins Elementary School in Des Moines. Christensen has been a mathematics educator for 17 years. Addition…

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21 CCLC) programs in Iowa are contributing to the lives of at-risk children by helping them improve attendance and behavior, and make gains in reading and mathematics. Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Annual Performance Report shows that in Iowa, 66 percent …

There is still time to register for the 2018 Iowa Adult Education and Literacy Conference to be held July 16-18 in Ankeny. The conference, called Educate and Elevate, is aimed at administrators and educators who help adults get the basic skills they need, including reading, writing, math, English language proficienc…

The Iowa Department of Education, in partnership with Elevate Advanced Manufacturing and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, has developed classroom resources to highlight and promote the wide range of career opportunities in Iowa’s advanced manufacturing industry. “It is important for students to not…

Who was the second president of the United States? How many amendments does the Constitution have? What was the New Deal? Flashback to a social studies class? For many, it is. Bits of facts stored in short-term memory to pass a test. After the test? Most of that memorized information was forgotten. But social stu…

State Board of Education adopts new academic standards; new professional development funding available to schools  DES MOINES – State education leaders today announced two key developments in an effort to expand computer science education in Iowa schools: New voluntary computer science standards and the avail…