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As we embark on the new school year and the challenges ahead, I am reminded of a quote from John F. Kennedy. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Navigating the new school year, we have no choice but to rethink assumptions, navigate rapidly changing circumstances and learn from each deci…

The inaugural webinar for the Iowa Department of Education’s Social Justice and Equity in Education series kicks off on Sept. 23. The session, which will be opened by the Department’s Director Ann Lebo, will feature A’ndrea Wilson, a professor at Grand View University, who will deliver “It’s Okay to be Unc…

We hear stories of educators in our state who are devoted to instilling a love of reading and learning. Often this work continues through the summer, as they dedicate many hours to plan lessons, volunteer at book sales, or donate time and resources in other ways to ensure students can access books. The summer of 2020 w…

Members of the public may join remotely DES MOINES - The Iowa State Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 24 to address a procedural and jurisdictional question in a pending appeal. (The meeting will not address the substance of the appeal.) The meeting is scheduled to run from 2:30 to 3 p.m…

The Iowa Department of Education is launching a new resource that will provide online learning opportunities and tools to support educators as they navigate virtual learning environments and incorporate online instruction this fall. Educators can access quality online course resources through Iowa e-Learning Central…

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced that $26.2 million is now available to districts, nonpublic schools, and colleges and universities primarily to increase internet connectivity for students for the 2020-21 school year. Using the Governor’s Emergency Education Rel…

The Iowa State Board of Education is seeking seven high school students who would like to be a part of its equity committee during the upcoming school year. The committee, comprised of 50 percent students in 10th through 12th grade, needs the student voice to help navigate equity issues by identifying and improv…

DES MOINES – Two Iowa educators were named recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Sharon K. Jaeschke Sharon K. Jaeschke, a math teacher at Southeast Valley …

One thing is clear about Iowa’s educators: They are resourceful, industrious and creative. The state’s 327 districts are adjusting their Return-to-Learn plans as schools start opening their doors. Just how they do it depends on individual circumstances and considerations, of which there are many. We took a look at …

Members of the public may join remotely DES MOINES - The Iowa State Board of Education’s regular meeting will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The meeting is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and will be held in person with the option for State Board members to join remotely. Due to COVID-19 social dist…