Articles from 01/2018

From a modest one-week observation in 1926 to today’s national one-month celebration, African American History Month is an integral thread woven into American history. It’s also an important education tool for our students. “African American History Month recognizes and pays tribute to the generations of Af…

Prevention program empowers students to get involved Dubuque students learn techniques to impact bullying. DUBUQUE – There aren’t too many school districts that can boast they have plunged bullying and harassment by 79 percent. OK, there’s only one school district that can lay that claim: Dubuque Commu…

Registration is now open for the 2018 Special Education Symposium which will be held June 11-12 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. There is no fee to register.  Sessions will include focus on family engagement, secondary transition, significant disabilities, leadership, K-12 l…

The staff at Riverdale Heights Elementary were honored for their work with English language learners, or students whose first language is not English. This is the fourth year in a row Riverdale Heights has received a Breaking Barriers award. Left to right: Cindy Lewis, Laurie Smith, Jennifer Gertson, Brittane…

DES MOINES – In an effort to head off hunger, the Iowa Department of Education is seeking sponsors for a federally funded program that provides nutritious meals or snacks to children in low-income areas of the state during the summer months.  Nearly 200,000 Iowa students who qualify for free and reduced-price…

For nearly 200,000 Iowa children, summer is not solely about fun and games. It’s also about hunger. In the absence of meals served during the regular school day, these children face the reality of lives without such nourishment. To help curb this hunger tide, local sponsors are needed for a federally funded summe…

Eleven Iowa teachers were recognized during the Outstanding Iowa Teachers Recognition Luncheon today in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise and Iowa Department of Education Bureau Chief Linda Carroll presided over the luncheon. (Check out our photos.)…

DES MOINES – Five Iowa schools were honored today by the State Board of Education for their work to raise achievement among groups of students who traditionally face challenges in the classroom. The Breaking Barriers to Teaching and Learning Award was created by the State Board of Education. Each year, the award r…

Editor’s note: 2018 Teacher of the Year Aileen Sullivan of Ames was presented to the State Board of Education this morning. The following is her speech. Good morning Director Wise and members of the Board. Thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your agenda today. As one of my first “official” duties a…

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Education today released the latest editions of two annual reports containing state-level data and information on Iowa’s schools and community colleges: The Annual Condition of Education report includes data on shifts in preschool through 12th grade student populations and …