Latest news with #IowaDepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill to boost student math skills
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill Monday aimed at increasing student math skills. House File 784, also known as the 'Math Counts Act,' aims to strengthen math education in schools across the state by requiring schools to screen students for math proficiency and create individualized support plans for students. It will also provide for professional development for educators, in addition to offering tools families can use to support at-home learning. The new law also directs the Iowa Department of Education to implement a statewide plan and approve math screeners for K-6 classrooms. Midwest Honor Flight takes off June 3 The law will take effect on July 1, ahead of students' return to class this fall. It comes as Iowa has continued to fall behind in math scores in the yearly National Assessment of Educational Progress, even as Iowa students' reading scores have improved. Governor Reynolds said about the bill, 'One of the greatest predictors of future success in the classroom and workplace, along with early literacy, is math proficiency. This bill will ensure children who are struggling in math are identified and receive the personalized help that they need.' The Director of the Iowa Department of Education McKenzie Snow said, 'Alongside teachers and families, the Math Counts Act championed by Governor Reynolds will help ensure all children in need of support are identified and receive personalized plans that empower them to meet high expectations. Building upon Iowa's new rigorous academic standards and support for high-quality instructional materials, this bipartisan legislation further realizes our commitment to evidence-based instruction and can serve as a model for the nation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa has a new education license plate thanks to a design from this high school student
The Iowa Department of Education launched a first-of-its-kind license plate design challenge in September 2024 to update the state's education license plate and a winner has finally been chosen: 16-year-old Erin Cho of Ames High School. Cho's winning design features Iowa's state bird, the American goldfinch, depicted as an educator, with students perched on three colorful books. 'As we invited Iowa's students to reimagine our education license plate, Erin Cho created a thoughtful and skillful design that Iowa drivers can soon choose to proudly display," said McKenzie Snow, Iowa Department of Education Director. Cho received a poster-sized version of her license plate design during a surprise announcement at Ames High School. Snow, Ames High's principal Paul Numendahl, Ames High art teacher Lindsay Wede and Cho's mom, Jiwon Jeon, also joined. Wede, who nominated Cho's work, was also the 2024 Art Teacher of the Year. 'I have had the pleasure of working with Erin Cho in multiple art classes, Art Club, and National Art Honor Society,' Wede said. 'I am absolutely thrilled that Erin's well-thought-out design was chosen. Erin puts a lot of thought and effort into her art projects and shows a deep commitment to continuous learning." Cho's and all 16 semifinalists' artwork will be displayed at the Department of Education's office in the Grimes State Office Building in June, or can be viewed on the department's website. The new education license plate that features Erin Cho's design is in production and can be ordered this summer through the Iowa Department of Transportation. The fees collected from purchases of specialized license plates will support school districts with the highest per pupil transportation costs, including schools serving rural communities, the Department of Education said. Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@ or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa has a new education license plate. See the winning design
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Student winner of Iowa education license plate challenge revealed
DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ames High School student was surprised with some big news from Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow on Monday. Snow was at the high school to announce the winner of the Iowa Education License Plate Design Challenge. Scholastic Spotlight: Griff visits Norwalk classroom Sophomore Erin Cho was the winner and received a poster-sized version of her winning license plate. It features a goldfinch as an educator perched on three school books. Cho said that her design was meant to incorporate the educational theme as much as possible. 'I kinda just looked up like different symbols for education …and I incorporated that into my artwork. Like books, and like the graduation hat, and things like that. And also a pair of glasses on the educator finch that I tried to show in my artwork. And also used the state bird as well to show this is Iowa education,' said Cho. If you are looking to get her design for your Iowa license plate, it will be available later this summer. Student winner of Iowa education license plate challenge revealed Needed rainfall begins across Iowa, storms to develop tonight Scholastic Spotlight: Colfax-Mingo coffee shop Public safety leaders across Iowa to discuss impact of 911 systems charge Scholastic Spotlight: Griff visits Norwalk classroom Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milken Educator Award winner Holly Hunter honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds
Veteran third grade teacher and 2024-25 Milken Educator Award recipient Holly Hunter has been honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds with the presentation of the award at the state Capitol. Hunter's May 13 meeting with Reynolds and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow was another highlight to a whirlwind year that started on Jan. 16 with a surprise announcement at Davis Elementary School that she was a Milken recipient. Hunter also received a trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in California and $25,000 to use as she wishes. The Milken is awarded to early to mid-career educators who are "furthering excellence in education," according to the organization's January news release. Hunter is one of 48 Iowa teachers who have received the national honor, according to the Iowa Department of Education's website. Related: Adel high schooler battles brittle bone disease to graduate high school Hunter — a 2011 Grinnell High School graduate — began teaching at Davis in 2017. Her connection to the community goes so far back that her current classroom is the same room where she attended third grade. "I love my job and my biggest thing is I love building relationships," she said in an interview with the Des Moines Register. "So, relationships with my coworkers is important and being visible and helpful on committees." Her classroom relationships are her No. 1 priority. "I think winning an award like this kind of validates that what you're doing is making a difference," Hunter said. Hunter was excited to meet Reynolds during the presentation. The two chatted briefly about Hunter's experiences in the classroom and Reynolds told Hunter about her own daughter's work as a teacher. Hunter also met with several people from the Iowa Department of Education. "It was my honor to present the 2024 Iowa Milken Educator Award to Holly Hunter! Holly is a third-grade teacher at Davis Elementary," Reynolds posted on social media. "With this award, she has been recognized as one of our country's finest educators!" Related: These 28 high school graduating seniors from the Des Moines area each have a story to tell In the January news release announcing, Snow congratulated Hunter on the award and praised her work with students. 'Across Iowa, dedicated educators like Holly are ensuring every student receives evidence-based instruction that empowers them to be proficient readers by the end of third grade,' Snow said at the time. 'Holly is a leader in schoolwide Science of Reading implementation, modeling best practices that have the greatest impact on student achievement and growth." Around Davis Elementary — which is part of the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District — Hunter is known for being a member of various committees, helping with school initiatives, her overall leadership and is a "family favorite as a third grade teacher," said Principal Brian Conway. Related: What to know about Iowa's fifth-place ranking for preschool attendance "Some of the reasons that she was nominated for (the Milken) is she's been taking on leadership opportunities within our building, in our district from a young age," he said. "And she is someone who works tirelessly to build really positive relationships with her kids and her families." Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@ Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Milken Award winner Holly Hunter honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New chief administrator selected for Northwest AEA
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A new chief administrator has been selected for the Northwest Area Education Agency. The agency's board of directors picked Seth Piro for the position. Officials said in a release that the final interviews between Piro and Shari Blake were held Tuesday in a closed session. Rep. Feenstra holding events to help Iowans submit or renew passports Prio is currently a regional special education director for the Iowa Department of Education leading statewide initiatives that impact more than $45,000 students. He has also served as a school board member, nonprofit leader, and volunteer. He was named Iowa School Psychologist of the Year from the Iowa School Psychologist Association in 2021, and continues to shape best practices through state task forces and national conferences. 'Seth brings exceptional vision and a tireless work ethic to educational leadership,' said Dr. Angelisa Fynaardt, Iowa Department of Education. Dr. Cindy Yelick of Heartland AEA added, 'His leadership has transformed how we support students across Northwest Iowa.' Agency officials said Piro is a seasoned education leader with more than two decades of experience. He's set to begin as chief administrator role on July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
