Press Release

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Education today announced a request for proposals to select new statewide assessments of student progress in English language arts, mathematics and science starting in the 2018-19 school year.  The Department is seeking bids for new assessments, as well as a vendor to provi…

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced that the second draft of Iowa’s state plan for meeting the federal Every Student Succeeds Act is available for public review and comment.   “This draft plan ties together and builds on Iowa’s collaborative education reform efforts under way t…

The Iowa State Board of Education’s annual retreat will take place on June 8-9 at Des Moines Area Community College, 2006 South Ankeny Blvd., in Ankeny. The retreat begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, in the Eldon Leonard Board Room of the Borgen Administration Center (Building #22) on campus. The retreat w…

Members will convene May 31 in Des Moines DES MOINES – Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced a new advisory group to address critical issues in expanding computer science opportunities for students statewide. The Computer Science Education Work Group was established as part of Senate F…

Board accepts state team’s recommendations DES MOINES – Members of the State Board of Education today adopted new statewide social studies standards following an Iowa-led writing and review process that began more than a year ago.  The new standards represent the first update to Iowa’s social studies s…

DES MOINES - The Iowa State Board of Education’s next regular meeting will take place on Thursday, May 11, at the Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines.   A work session will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the second-floor State Board Room, followed by the business meeting at 9:30 a.m.  &nb…

Team’s report, draft standards will go to the State Board of Education for consideration DES MOINES - A state team charged with reviewing a draft of proposed statewide standards for social studies today released its final report, which recommends that the draft standards become Iowa’s new social studies standard…

April public forums scheduled; online survey opens today Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced he’s seeking public input on fine arts standards that are under consideration in Iowa.  Wise announced public forums throughout the state on April 25 and April 27, as well as an online s…

State’s annual dropout rate also increased, although long-term trend shows decline Iowa’s high school graduation rate has increased for the fifth year in a row while dropout rates edged up for the first time since the 2009-10 school year, according to figures released today by the Iowa Department of Education. …

There are literally thousands of talented Iowa educators who lead and inspire their students. But only one is chosen annually as the state’s top teacher. The deadline to nominate the 2018 Iowa Teacher of the Year is April 28. The award is an opportunity to recognize an exceptional Iowa teacher who is helping to re…