At-Risk Task Force

The At-Risk Task Force, established by SF560, will study the following:

  1. How schools currently use state funding for programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs.
  2. The effectiveness of programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs.
  3. Whether and to what extent state funding for programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs should be reallocated to direct intervention by a jobs for America's graduates specialist.
  4. How to best use state funding for programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs.

The task force will submit its findings and recommendations to the general assembly in a report by Dec. 31, 2023.

Public Comment on Proposed Recommendations

The Iowa Department of Education is seeking comment on recommendations from the At-Risk Task Force regarding drop-out prevention programs and other programs that serve at-risk youth.

Responses from the public comments survey will be collected through Dec. 1. The At-Risk Task Force will consider all public comments before finalizing its recommendations, which are due to the general assembly by Dec. 31.

The At-Risk Task Force will have a virtual listening session on Tuesday, November 28 from 10:00am-11:00am. Task force members will be seeking verbal feedback on the draft recommendations.

Definition of at-risk

Iowa Administrative Code defines an at-risk student as “any identified student who needs additional support and who is not meeting or not expected to meet the established goals of the educational program (academic, personal/social, career/vocational). At-risk students include, but are not limited to, students in the following groups: homeless children and youth, dropouts, returning dropouts and potential dropouts.”

Meeting Dates & Agendas

Dec. 8, 2023

Nov. 17, 2023

Nov. 2, 2023

Oct. 25, 2023

Members

  • Willie Barney, Instructional Leadership Director - North Region, Davenport CSD 
  • Joshua Baxter, Alternative Services Teacher, Carlisle High School, Carlisle CSD, President of the Iowa Association of Alternative Education 
  • Kim Davis, Principal, Walnut Creek Campus, West Des Moines CSD 
  • Jeff Hawkins, Associate Superintendent, Ames CSD  
  • Wendy Mihm-Herold, President and CEO, Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates 
  • Theron Schutte, Superintendent, Marshalltown CSD 
  • Matthew “Chuck” Tonelli, Science Teacher, Metro High School, Cedar Rapids CSD, Former President of the Iowa Association of Alternative Education