Latest news with #DesMoinesPublicSchools
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds of volunteers needed for National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines
DES MONIES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools is seeking volunteers for the National Speech and Debate Tournament that will be held in the metro later this month. DMPS said they need hundreds of volunteers to help man 11 different event sites across the metro. The tournament takes place June 12-20. To learn more about how to volunteer, click here. To learn more about the tournament visit the National Speech and Debate Association website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What to know about Iowa's fifth-place ranking for preschool attendance
Iowa ranks fifth in the nation for access to 4-year-old preschool, according to a new report by the National Institute for Early Education Research. During the 2023-24 school year, 67% of Iowa 4-year-olds attended a state-funded preschool program, the "2024 State of Preschool Yearbook" report released April 29 said. Nationally, 37% of 4-year-olds were enrolled. The District of Columbia, Vermont, Colorado and West Virginia beat Iowa for the top four spots. This is the 22nd State of Preschool Yearbook put out by the nonpartisan National Institute for Early Education Research at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. The state rankings were determined using the percentage of 4 and 3-year-old students enrolled in state preschools, state spending per enrolled child and all reported spending per enrolled child. This is the third year that Iowa has ranked fifth in the nation, according to the institute's data. In 2021, Iowa ranked third in the country. During the 2023-24 school year, a total of 28,189 preschool-aged children participated in Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program and Shared Visions Program, the report states. This is a decrease of 5 from the previous year. Preschool is not mandatory in Iowa, but in recent years there has been a push to expand access to all-day classes for 4-year-olds. Des Moines Public Schools and the Iowa Catholic Conference have been among those asking lawmakers for additional funding. Providing all-day care for children has also been a priority of Gov. Kim Reynolds during the 2025 legislative session. Senate File 445 — which has already passed the Senate — would open new grant opportunities for state preschool programs and childcare providers to work together if it were signed into is important that state's invest in their children's futures, said W. Steven Barnett, NIEER's senior director and founder, in the organization's news release. 'Iowa leaders should be proud of the state's ranking of fifth in the nation – and first in the Midwest – in serving four-year-olds in quality preschool," Barnett said. "State leaders can now work to expand preschool access to more three-year-olds while ensuring that per-pupil investments are adequate to help providers meet quality standards." Related: Gov. Kim Reynolds' bill incentivizing preschool-child care partnerships passes Iowa Senate Iowa came in 21st in the nation for number of 3-year-olds enrolled in state-funded preschool programs during the 2023-24 school year, the report states. Only 6% of the state's 3-year-olds were enrolled at that time. Nationally, 8% of 3-year-olds were enrolled in similar programs. Iowa came in 22nd in the 2023 report. During the 2023-24 school year, the state spent $96.6 million on its preschool students, according to the group's findings. That is up 1% or $746,282 from the 2022-23 school year. Per child, the cost was '$3,735 in 2023-2024, up $49 from 2022-2023.' Iowa pays about half of the per-pupil rate for 4-year-old preschool students. Across the U.S., states "spent more than $13.6 billion on preschool in 2023-24, including $257 million in federal COVID-19 relief dollars," the institute's news release states. "This represents an increase of nearly $2 billion (17%) over the previous year." California, New Jersey, New York and Texas accounted for 51% of total preschool spending nationally, research showed. Related: Des Moines, DMPS partner to offer free all-day preschool to 4-year-olds The report does raise concerns about how the Trump administration's proposed cuts to federal agencies will impact initiatives like Head Start, a government-funded early learning program. Currently, the Trump administrations is considering a proposed 2026 budget which excludes funding for the decades-old program. Related: Head Start on chopping block despite being a top priority of Kim Reynolds, Iowa leaders "Nearly 5,000 3- and 4-year-olds in Iowa could lose access to Head Start if federal funding for the program is eliminated,' said Allison Friedman-Krauss, lead author of the report, in the news release. 'Increased uncertainty about federal funding underscores the urgency for states to prioritize and expand early childhood investments.' To read the report go to Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@ Follow her on X at @svhernandez, Bluesky at @ or at This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa ranks fifth in nation for 4-year-old preschool attendance
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Des Moines middle school history teacher earns Golden Apple
DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines Public Schools teacher is using history lessons to help students become better citizens for the future. Patrick Brennan teaches US History to eighth graders at Merrill Middle School and is known for what's in his mug. 'This class runs off of tea,' Brennan said. 'People like how he drinks tea a lot,' student Payton Rayburn said. 'He can't go in class without drinking tea. That's one defining characteristic of him.' Mr. Brennan is also known to make his students think. 'Social studies is really about critical thinking,' Brennan said. Nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award! Mr. Brennan is often the one asking the questions in his classroom. His students say the answers don't always come easily. 'You have to come up with it yourself,' student Jersey Durham said. 'And when we're doing class discussions, he keeps on pushing you and pushing you until you get it, but he never tells you the answer.' Except when we asked him why he wanted to become a teacher. 'Oh, that's a solid question,' Brennan said. 'To indirectly change the world. I ask the questions, the students determine how they feel about things, and they're the ones who change the world. You know, they're the future.' It's that teaching philosophy that made students nominate their history teacher for a Golden Apple. 'This is truly an honor. Thank you all so very much,' Brennan said after accepting the award. 'You guys have made this quite easy on me. This is by far one of the best years I've ever had teaching and that's because of all of you.' It's a special moment for Brennan and his students. 'When we heard it was him, we all – me and my friends – jumped out of our seats and we were all so happy. It was awesome. We were really excited for him,' Rayburn said. 'When we nominated him, I didn't think he was actually going to get it,' Durham said. 'So when he did it made me really happy because he really does deserve it.' A deserving teacher whose family now has two Golden Apple awards. 'It's a really special award,' Brennan's son, Rigby, said. 'And it's very nice when you see it.' Brennan's wife, Stephanie, also received the award when she was a teacher at Lincoln High School in 2018. 'It's definitely full circle to get to see that come to fruition and see your hopes and dreams come true with your partner,' Stephanie Brennan said. She now teaches at Roosevelt High School, where Merrill Middle School students will go next. Both parents are teaching at the schools their kids will attend. Mr. Brennan will have his daughter as a student next year. It's a class she's looking forward to. 'Because he's a really good teacher and I like to learn,' Finnley Brennan said. 'And with him as a teacher, he can help me do that.' More: Golden Apple Award winners Mr. Brennan helps students learn and prepare for life. 'He's making them citizens for the future, right? And making them passionate about voting and their rights and he's teaching them history,' Stephanie Brennan said. 'And that's what's so important right now. And he does such a good job and makes kids really think for life about their place in this world and history and what they need to do to be better for the world.' A world where Mr. Brennan still has a cup of tea in one hand, and now a Golden Apple in the other. 'These are some of the most amazing human beings I've met in my life and the fact that they were so proud and excited made me feel incredible,' Brennan said. 'Getting that recognition was just above and beyond.' This is Mr. Brennan's second year at Merrill Middle School. Before that, he was at Meredith Middle School for about a decade. You can watch the full interview with him below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
22-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
DMPS braces for funding shifts, eyes long game
The Des Moines School Board is holding a public hearing tonight for its fiscal year 2026 budget, and while no major cuts or stir-ups are expected, the state and federal governments could influence future finances. Why it matters: Des Moines Public Schools has already undergone millions in cuts and is trying to restructure its facilities over the next decade. Budget changes could slow those plans. State of play: There are no significant cuts in the $900 million budget for next year, says DMPS chief financial officer Shashank Aurora. The budget is increasing by $17.1 million — primarily for rising salary and benefit costs. $12.7 million of that will be covered by reserves, with the remainder covered by an increase in supplemental state aid. The big picture: Meanwhile, the district's 10-year " Reimagining Education" plan, which includes closing and restructuring school buildings, is reliant on capital funds. DMPS is considering a bond referendum this November to help fund that project, but potential property tax reforms by the Legislature could hurt how much it can get from tax levies. Even if voters vote against a referendum, DMPS could still pursue its plans over a longer time frame, Aurora says. Plus: Federal education budget cuts could also hurt the district, with DMPS potentially losing millions of dollars, Aurora says. If Head Start — a federal child care and nutrition program — is cut, Aurora expects even deeper financial struggles. Between the lines: School board chair Jackie Norris wants the district to use a more forward-looking budget approach, including a five-year comprehensive plan.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scholastic Spotlight: DMPS Jazz Experience & Oskaloosa Book Update
Des Moines Public Schools were one of 20 high schools around the country to have the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz visit their schools last week. The experience teaches high school students about the basics of jazz and its history. Oskaloosa Elementary School is celebrating a grant that will allow them to refresh their non-fiction section. The book refresh and jazz experience are both this week's Scholastic Spotlight. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
