The Iowa Department of Education has awarded a total of $300,000 to six Iowa school districts that have demonstrated outstanding results in preparing students for life after high school graduation. The Excellence in Postsecondary Readiness Grant recognizes Iowa school districts as models of excellence in preparing students for postsecondary success, whether they pursue college, a career or other postsecondary path. The grants will support expansion of successful postsecondary readiness initiatives that can be scaled and replicated in school districts across the state.
“Across Iowa, career-connected learning is changing lives, empowering communities and strengthening economies,” said Christina Sibaouih, chief for the Department’s Bureau of Postsecondary Community Engagement. “This innovative new grant is a direct response to feedback from educators in the field to celebrate what is working in their schools. These six district awardees are seeing impactful results with more learners attaining work-based learning experiences, industry-recognized credentials and college credit while in high school. This funding will support their work and provide the same blueprint to other districts in creating sustainable strategies to support postsecondary readiness and success.”
The following six school districts each were awarded a $50,000 Excellence in Postsecondary Readiness Grant:
- Creston Community School District
- Fort Madison Community School District
- Hampton-Dumont Community School District
- Howard-Winneshiek Community School District
- Storm Lake Community School District
- West Liberty Community School District
Awardees were evaluated and selected based on achieving postsecondary readiness index scores for students earning college credit and participating in work-based learning that exceed the statewide average of 70.3 percent and 45 percent, respectively. The postsecondary readiness scores are part of the Iowa School Performance Profiles, which meets the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and state and federal requirements to publish report cards reflecting the performance of all public schools. Consideration was also given to school districts that serve a high proportion of students eligible for free- or reduced-price lunch. Awardees will also participate in the Department’s Course to College & Career program, which provides support and resources to help schools cultivate a college and career-going culture.
Each $50,000 grant will support awardees in expanding and scaling a proven practice in one or more priority areas, including work-based learning, Senior Year Plus programs and other pathways to college credit attainment, industry-recognized credentials, individual career and academic planning or middle school career development. Awardees will work closely with the Department as they develop plans for replicating excellence and success in Iowa, including leading trainings on their identified exemplary practice and serving as a resource for other Iowa districts.
Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis through the end of the grant period, June 30, 2027. Grant funds may be used to support salaries and wages, benefits, travel, materials and supplies, equipment and indirect costs as outlined in each district application.
Excellence in Postsecondary Readiness Grants are a one-time, non-renewable grant supported by the Department’s Iowa College Aid Strategic Reserve Fund dedicated to supporting student aid and statewide college and career readiness efforts.
Additional information and resources on postsecondary education and college and career preparation in Iowa can be found on the Department’s Higher Education and Postsecondary Readiness webpage.