Latest news with #McKenzieSnow
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor's math literacy bill advanced by House lawmakers
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said in her Condition of the State speech at the beginning of the 91st General Assembly she would have a bill addressing math literacy rates. The bill is similar to the reading literacy policy passed in 2024 by Iowa lawmakers. the bill would aim to improve student math proficiency and civics education. The policy requires early screening and targeted intervention for students struggling in math. Highlights from Iowa high school state wrestling tournament Wednesday It would also provide family-centered resources to support student development of mathematics at home and a comprehensive state mathematics plan that is designed to increase the level of proficiency. Resources will also be given to teachers in school districts with student populations needing extra emphasis in math, working with school district leaders. Twenty-three percent of fourth graders in the state are testing below grade level at math, with fourth grade test scores ranking 30th in the nation. That is down from seventh only one year ago, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. 'We hope to see many of the successes we have seen in early literacy replicated for students across Iowa through this Math Counts Act before you,' said McKenzie Snow, the Director of the Iowa Department of Education. 'You know, it's a really good plan. The caveat I would say to that, as I do on a lot of other bills similar to this, we have to take a look at the things we're asking our staff and teachers and our schools to do,' said Dave Daughton, a lobbyist for School Administrators of Iowa and Rural School Advocates of Iowa. 'They aren't bad things. There's just only so many hours in the day and so many resources to do that.' The bill passed through the subcommittee, striking the portion requiring high school students pass a civics test in order to graduate. The Iowa Senate subcommittee did the same to the governor's bill on Tuesday of this week, as it was the same language passed three weeks ago by Iowa House Republicans. Iowa News: Governor's math literacy bill advanced by House lawmakers Highlights from Iowa high school state wrestling tournament Wednesday Bird flu detected in Sac County turkey flock It's baby season! Blank Park Zoo welcomes twin cotton-top tamarins Iowa State Fair Board selects replacement for former Steer 'N' Stein location Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Siouxland schools receive part of $600K of grants for child care education credit
DES MOINES (KCAU) — Two Siouxland schools are part of nine in Iowa that will receive a total of nearly $600,000 in grants for educating students in family and consumer science programs while also getting credit. The Iowa Department of Education awarded the Credential to Child Care Careers grants Tuesday. The nine schools to receive the grants are as follows: Central Lyon Community School District Charles City Community School District Clear Creek Amana Community School District Des Moines Public Schools Harlan Community School District Iowa City Community School District Le Mars Community School District Marshalltown Community School District Woodbine Community School District Annual Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair coming up in March The grants help communities in achieving expanded access to child care while also supporting high school students in earning a Child Development Associate credential, per a release. The credential is nationally recognized and awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It requires coursework, field experience, and an assessment where the student is observed working with children. 'Parents need a child care solution that meets the demands of their busy lives and we need to grow and support strong local solutions,' Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement. 'I commend each of these nine district awardees for their forward-looking approach to prepare young Iowans to be career ready upon graduation, while also supporting local businesses in building their workforce pipeline.' School district awardees will receive curriculum that meets both requirements by Iowa Health and Human Services for employees of Iowa-licensed child care centers and the classroom requirements for a CDA credential. The school districts can also used the grants to cover related costs. The grants come after a successful pilot program last summer during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. Those schools included Council Bluffs, MMCRU, Sioux Central, Starmont, and Woodbine school districts. Cook Park affordable housing project continues to moves forward 'Informed by the success of these programs last fall, we opened this opportunity statewide to support more school districts in strengthening pathways to in-demand child development careers for students while supporting working families,' said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
