DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today announced a new round of competitive grants to support Iowa school districts in developing systems to identify and recognize teachers who significantly accelerate student learning.
The Teachers Accelerating Learning grant celebrates excellence in teaching and helps 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.
This second round of grants significantly increases both the percentage of teachers who are eligible and the supplemental pay amounts available. In this round of funding, eligibility is expanded to 25% of teachers compared to 10% in the first round, and increases supplemental pay amounts up to $15,000 per educator compared to $2,500 in round one.
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 on using data to support teachers and students.
Applications for the Teachers Accelerating Learning grant will be accepted in IowaGrants.gov beginning Aug, 26, 2025. The application deadline is Sept. 19, 2025.
Four Iowa school districts were previously awarded funding through the first pilot round of Teaching Accelerating Learning grants. IKM-Manning, Tri-Center, Van Meter and Okoboji each were awarded approximately $180,000 to provide supplemental pay to educators for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.
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 webpage.