Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced $8.5 million in competitive grants to support Iowa school districts in developing systems to identify and recognize teachers who significantly accelerate student learning.
“I’m proud to have signed historic teacher pay legislation last session,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This grant program builds on our momentum by working with local school districts to identify teachers with the greatest impact on student success—and then financially reward them for their extraordinary skill and dedication. Great teachers change lives, and they deserve to be recognized.”
The Teachers Accelerating Learning grant program will celebrate excellence in teaching and help districts attract and retain top teachers. All Iowa public school districts that commit to developing and implementing a methodology for identifying and recognizing teachers who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth are eligible to apply.
“Ensuring every child experiences a world-class education is made possible by having a great teacher with every child in every classroom,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Iowa’s Teachers Accelerating Learning grant program will empower school communities to recognize incredible educators who are making the greatest impact on student learning. This new opportunity builds upon our collective work to support a strong educator pipeline across Iowa, including through historic teacher pay raises and multiple pathways to teacher licensure.”
In addition to locally determined measures of effectiveness that are objective and transparent, districts must incorporate the Education Visualization and Analytics Solution (EVAAS) growth visualization tool as a core component growth measure from grades 4-8 and participate in state training opportunities focused using data to support teachers and students.
Total district award amounts will vary based on the number of teachers in the district, not to exceed $500,000 a year for each of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Awarded districts will use the grant funds to provide supplementary pay of up to $2,500 per year to up to the top 10% of teachers within the district who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth.
Applications for the Teachers Accelerating Learning grant will be accepted in IowaGrants.gov beginning Nov. 26, 2024. The application deadline is Jan. 10, 2025.
Funds for the Teachers Accelerating Learning grant are provided through State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Additional information on the Teachers Accelerating Learning grant is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.