Top state officials are making the case that Iowa’s recent improvements in school performance are reason the U.S. Department of Education should approve the state’s first-in-the-nation pitch for using nearly $157 million in federal education money as block grants.
As federal officials review Iowa’s application, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was “encouraged” by the Trump administration’s efforts to “return education to the states” during a news conference with reporters at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“The most impactful thing we can do for our state as we look at next steps and we look at what that future looks like is to ensure that the next generation is prepared to thrive,” Reynolds said.
State officials earlier this year submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education regarding requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to carry out Iowa’s “unified allocation plan.”
Iowa’s plan proposes to align nine ESEA programs to state education priorities, reducing administrative expenses and giving the state more room to spend $156.65 million directly on students’ and schools’ needs.
The pitch stems from President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the federal Department of Education, a move Reynolds has supported by cheering on the president in Washington, D.C., as he signed an executive order in March.
In an opinion column published in The Hill, Reynolds said she hopes it opens the doors for the federal government to send money to the states in the form of block grants with fewer strings attached.
“I think we’re up to the task, that we are definitely on the right track, that we have put the infrastructure in place, that we really are ready and able to take on that opportunity and continue strong partnership to move this state forward,” Reynolds told reporters.
Reynolds said this is intended to bolster school improvement efforts and help school districts focus on best serving students most in need of support.
The state’s priorities include:
Reynolds said school accountability systems were confusing to schools and families, prompting state officials to create Iowa’s new “unified accountability system” in partnership with educators and communities to help schools continually improve.
Accountability measures look at students’ proficiency in English, language arts, math and science, chronic absenteeism and attendance, graduation rates and postsecondary readiness measured by items such as attainment of work-based learning or graduate credentials.
“Now, school accountability focuses on student outcomes rather than system inputs,” Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said. “… It reflects high expectations for all students, is much more transparent and easily understood and it incentivizes evidence-based practices that best support student learning, well-being and long-term student success.”
Students’ test scores showing their reading proficiency went up 11% among last year’s third graders who are now in fourth grade.
And Reynolds said Iowa’s K-12 students have also made “exceptional gains” in their math skills.
Reynolds signed a law in 2024, House File 2618, implementing new testing requirements intended to help aspiring Iowa teachers improve their literacy instruction. It requires schools to provide personalized plans to elementary school students who are not reading at grade level.
In June, Reynolds signed a similar bill into law intended to boost math scores. It directed the Iowa Department of Education to create math learning resources for families to use with their student at home and to improve instruction for educators.
“It starts with a commitment to high expectations, high expectations for our students, our schools and ourselves and together with families and teachers, our education system works to see every child, meet them where they are and provide them what they need to meet high expectations and realize their unique, incredible potential,” Snow said.
State officials also touted stronger supports for chronically absent students.
The number of students who were chronically absent fell 5.8 percentage points to 15.8% in the 2024-25 school year from the prior school year after Reynolds signed into law Senate File 2435. It changed attendance requirements for Iowa schools, including how administrators and county attorneys handle chronic absenteeism.
The law requires school officials, absent students and their family to create a plan to get the children to class. If that plan fails, schools must involve a county attorney.
And 45% of high school seniors last year had a work-based learning experience outside the classroom experience tied to career preparation. State officials attributed this increase in part to efforts supporting Career and Technical Education initiatives such as a 2024 state law recognizing qualifying courses for core credit.
“Overall school performance is improving, schools in need of support are improving, early literacy is improving, science proficiency is improving, attendance is improving and work-based learning is growing,” Snow said.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
(This article was updated to correct an error.)
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds makes the case for the US Education Department to OK Iowa’s block grant pitch
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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