[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6344941,"mediaKeyId","2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f","parentId",2250027,"title","Sioux Central agriculture teacher Melanie Bloom named 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year","audioSeconds",755,"startMs",7545000,"endMs",8300000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f&start=7545&end=8300","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f/thumbnail_7545000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344941/Iowa/Sioux-Central-agriculture-teacher-Melanie-Bloom-named-2025-Iowa-Teacher-of-the-Year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344941-2d45ca741ebdad91d66110fe40288b14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593141&Signature=AAR4kwd~4FkVPC2-kmx2Miptf2Nui2DW9Qgubbeq0j6XBD7HZtx4ftIY7Tuj78OjNJ8y9WdBXvVNLEk9-jK06lzuGnavm-y2m3zFT1pKwEym2AifFvROQ4KgPTtIF6YYjk7bm-YgAx6ijk3EEzMQidVyFiKCxz3JC9JWJ0jbX3lSwsCW460-aEvqa7rBy2d-haMLqsS9kIm0zcUIKLZKNgBdTX~xVyHRVsPeTX3l6XTd5nhmXwlvioumnu8UugLnw5Sz8qYV431Mi~U6100sKoOkghZeP6Z31Srs2qNLzttqoz35EbfcIueLr3cURH1~YQ8Nbg8q0xU7EnN2~FR2jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-07T16:34:09Z","article","The State Board of Education hosted the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year, Melanie Bloom, at its Feb. 11 meeting. Bloom, an agricultural education teacher at Sioux Central (a pre-K–12 district in northwest Iowa), outlined her classroom approach, described career and work-based learning that prepares students for diverse postsecondary pathways, and emphasized mentoring future teachers.

Bloom told the board she chose agricultural education \"to make a difference\" and described curricula that emphasize inquiry, project-based learning, workplace learning and leadership through FFA. She credited the department and teacher-preparation partnerships for strengthening mentoring and beginning-teacher supports and said she helps students pursue authentic workplace learning, from local food- and agribusiness connections to apprenticeship and internship opportunities.

Why it matters: the Teacher of the Year program spotlights classroom practices, regional finalists and teacher leadership. Bloom emphasized that career-exploration and multiple pathways are especially important for students who do not follow a traditional college route.

Bloom said educators must help students see and try different careers early, citing examples in her program where students visited a food science lab and returned excited about new career options. She also told the board that rural schools can provide diverse career education and that teacher recruitment and retention remain priorities.

The department also previewed the 2026 Teacher of the Year nomination window and described a regionalized selection process designed to recognize teachers across Iowa's regions. Board members thanked the honorees and noted the program's role in outreach and mentorship for the state's teacher pipeline.

Speakers quoted or on the record: Melanie Bloom (2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year), Director Ryan Snow, and staff coordinating the Teacher of the Year program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Recording for the 2-6-25 Iowa State Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Melanie Bloom, an agricultural educator at Sioux Central, is the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Bloom highlighted work-based learning, inquiry-driven instruction and the importance of career exploration in her remarks to the board.","taxTitle","Education, Iowa Department of (IDOE), Executive, Iowa","taxId",27587,"location","Iowa","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344946,"Board hears Perkins V update, approves WTED community college plans for workforce training",2157,8883000,11040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f&start=8883&end=11040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f/thumbnail_8883000.jpg","/articles/6344946/Iowa/Board-hears-Perkins-V-update-approves-WTED-community-college-plans-for-workforce-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344946-27c8870dcd59d0b6e906f69dab0a4950/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593141&Signature=A2nsBls5YJOBnMgToa~MTqZysC379DhuQTfi3y3hn75ybI8kKdc8jfSs-JgB6gYZU8djuBjM~lGPQ5Lhh5FSZlKFHNPsnKIYZThZidWcyk7TADl21zN1mCTk5L1Ad93SLkfDwT2Y6ILOblK-Pm3R8YAK4X1G7i390PNt06V72E4QOZCNMcIQFGLqyOuX6w9Gnp2mmpC4WvupeRmPD9rbL2FxcAwiWHX5joSB~8cPniMRMvNQWQKmu~3SdwnquvLhYt6ylEmplnnb-AL5ulqFYM0dBVTK8ZXyapEoB-1LB5rmjzdsoTBvS2jLqlMEWZ0kkVrje0A8QujaDpPMEVTF2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Education on Feb. 11 received an overview of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Iowa and the federal Perkins V program and approved the annual Workforce Training and Economic Development (WTED) progress report and FY25 plans submitted by Iowa's community colleges.

Department staff described how Perkins V funding supports career-focused programming at both the secondary and postsecondary levels, noted the rise of computer science and IT pathways and outlined accountability indicators that will guide the state plan, including a new indicator tracking industry-recognized credentials at the secondary level. Staff said Iowa's Perkins allocation for FY25 was roughly $14 million and that roughly half of that total is distributed to high schools and half to community colleges; about 3% is reserved for state-level strategic projects.

The board approved the WTED report and FY25 plans, which outline how community colleges plan to allocate state WTED funds toward targeted clusters (advanced manufacturing, IT/insurance, renewable energy, life sciences) and career academies. The FY24 progress report included figures showing that advanced manufacturing and nursing accounted for 57% of program areas funded, that more than 80,000 participants were involved in WTED-funded activities in FY24, and that colleges worked with more than 2,700 businesses. The FY25 plans anticipate about 76,000 participants and continued emphasis on the same target clusters.

Why it matters: WTED funds are a state-directed resource that supports college-level workforce training and aligns with Perkins priorities; the board's approval clears the community colleges' plans to proceed and makes that planning public.

Board members asked how Perkins and state reserves are used and whether reserves could fund professional development, industry-recognized credential (IRC) work or other initiatives. Staff explained the 3% state reserve can be used for strategic projects and said the department has directed past reserve funds toward concurrent enrollment opportunities, credentials-to-careers grants and child-care credentialing efforts. Staff explained Perkins funding is generally for credit-bearing programming at community colleges, while other funding sources cover noncredit training.

The board approved the WTED report and plan and asked staff to continue coordinating Perkins state-plan stakeholder input and the public comment period scheduled from mid-March to mid-April; the department will finalize the Perkins state plan and submit it to the U.S. Department of Education before the May 31 deadline.

Speakers quoted or on the record: Heather Meissen (Administrative Consultant, Bureau of CTE), Cale Hutchings (Applied Science / Technology consultant).","The State Board received a briefing on Perkins V accountability and Iowa career/technical education priorities and approved the Workforce Training and Economic Development (WTED) fund reports and FY25 plans submitted by community colleges.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344951,"Iowa posts mixed NAEP results; state highlights reading gains and proposes Math Counts Act to boost math instruction",452,360000,812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f&start=360&end=812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f/thumbnail_360000.jpg","/articles/6344951/Iowa/Iowa-posts-mixed-NAEP-results-state-highlights-reading-gains-and-proposes-Math-Counts-Act-to-boost-math-instruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344951-dccc27fbe7cfadd8bde7435f4a9fde2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593141&Signature=gJJ8Rkt~8nFRfGyjQnD5lY4-jcr55M6RtMRXyIpHTAEzv17K4HFkcGD9x-pmiYQ2VJq1CZIF5zLEnArCdMIyMkev~yzc7IMqWKA4iH82QxpsqXwrA-ou2Yuwk59Zkmwr1~1Q8sORL084VTTjnJVXzL5dd8I-T25RK3GzqqfSudQ8fynHoD9PZvcUEQN4vhvPbUJThSr66EHWAog4FZ5preX-kSNNFU1N3W8Men~uKv5DqGK2wD5~UvcgjbbKB4LxVMirGi-0-Bk9cm15~mngC0OKgKs4-rVdtZHltDl9t6ij1XgzraV0mhX2kOUyo6tY63sZ0Sov01-ASxVR7f9Etg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Snow reviewed the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results at the Feb. 11 State Board of Education meeting, telling board members that Iowa's eighth-grade reading ranking improved since 2022 while mathematics achievement remains an area of concern.

Director Snow said the nation's NAEP results show declines in reading and largely stagnant math nationally since 2022, but noted that Iowa increased its national ranking in eighth-grade reading from 20th in 2022 to 10th in 2024. The department attributed the state's reading gains to years of sustained investment in evidence-based reading instruction, professional learning (including LETRS for thousands of educators), updated ELA standards and targeted tutoring and summer reading grants. Snow also highlighted targeted investments that provided book packs for every Iowa first grader.

By contrast, Snow said, Iowa's math rankings lag. He noted Iowa's fourth-grade math ranking declined since 2013 and that Iowa's long-term fourth-grade math percentage proficiency has dropped about nine percentage points since 2013. The department recommended a statewide math strategy included in a proposed Math Counts Act that would emphasize early identification, multi-tiered interventions, evidence-based professional development targeted to schools with the greatest need, and family resources to support math development at home.

Why it matters: NAEP is the only nationally representative assessment that allows direct state-to-state comparisons. The department framed Iowa's reading gain as promising and credited state-level investments, while positioning the Math Counts Act as a response to persistent weaknesses in math performance.

Board members asked whether the move in NAEP rankings reflected improvements in Iowa or changes in other states' performance. Snow acknowledged both effects: Iowa's relative ranking can increase if other states lose ground, but he attributed Iowa's reading improvement to in-state investments and to maintaining in-person instruction through 2021-22 that limited learning loss compared with some other states.

Snow stressed the proposed math strategy would be targeted rather than the universal LETRS-style rollout used for reading professional learning; Math Counts would prioritize districts and schools identified through proficiency metrics as most in need of support. The director said the department will track progress through state assessments and the next administration of NAEP in 2026.

Speakers quoted or on the record: Director Ryan Snow; board members asked clarifying questions about rollout and measurement.","Iowa's eighth-grade reading ranking rose nationally, while math remains a concern. The Department highlighted statewide investments in evidence-based reading and outlined proposed statewide math supports.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6344956,"State board adopts charter contract template, performance framework and approves a slate of new charter contracts",6824,2536000,9360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f&start=2536&end=9360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250027-b6da750c22f4b587da0d8aab0b33a29f/thumbnail_2536000.jpg","/articles/6344956/Iowa/State-board-adopts-charter-contract-template-performance-framework-and-approves-a-slate-of-new-charter-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344956-89e330904440e9efcc2a53da850872ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770593141&Signature=TtzVzVCje5goBA11DCIY-JYcd3KyyKec0qILuvVqZD6i8X819djbGlLlXqKTcvw5ybouytY4qzU7PoDfFXZGCVD6BEe91Klzh-4bDwCrFGt2IUOegfL0rZG8swm73W2ESOiRfYqFQGLRn9PvpLEskJuW5pILYlnnLNwfmsM5tyoeEmjy8kvtUnMvbLcz6sU7VHs4YRwS1TFwyWOg6cvW1XSmdjGBOwNWMMZj50z3AMYHVqoFH1va5Kzz70Bdm2GXvRiJ~-H-l~uXMLLJzjMsqo3aVXwkK6MOlFQwvgOhPKyxo0CrFxXPESPorSeTfECsS~D8BZZnZcqwN-hc8DvH7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iowa State Board of Education on Feb. 11 approved updates to a standard charter school contract, adopted the board's first charter school performance framework and approved multiple charter school contracts and transitional contracts for new and expanding campuses across the state.

Board members voted to adopt a uniform sample contract after department staff and the board's general counsel outlined changes made during negotiations with applicants, including clarification about the timing of required performance reports and moving the annual audit deadline from Dec. 1 to March 31. The board also adopted a relatively short, three-domain performance framework (academic, finance, organizational health) intended to formalize accountability and to feed into renewal decisions and the department's annual November report to the legislature.

Why it matters: the contract template establishes consistent legal and reporting expectations for charter operators. The performance framework gives the board a first formal rubric for renewal and oversight and creates a path for expedited renewals for schools that repeatedly meet standards.

Board staff said most changes to the template were technical (capitalization, cross references) but highlighted two substantive edits: (1) section 8.6 was revised to reflect statute and clarify that detailed performance reports are required in a charter's renewal year rather than every charter filing annually; and (2) the annual audit deadline was aligned with public school deadlines by moving it from Dec. 1 to March 31. General counsel Thomas Mays told the board that some applicants requested additional contract edits that the department declined to incorporate because the language tracked statute verbatim.

The board approved the performance framework,
which board staff described as a basic, first iteration built from nationally recognized authorizing practices that the department will refine using feedback from authorizers and schools. The framework includes mission-specific goals so authorizers can assess whether a charter delivers the innovation promised in its application.

Votes at a glance (motions approved):
- Approve updates to proposed charter school contract template (mover: board member Brian; second: Mary). Outcome: approved.
- Adopt Charter School Performance Framework (mover: Bridal; second: Cindy). Outcome: approved.
- Approve newly executed or transitional charter contracts for multiple applicants, including Davenport Prep (new), Cedar Rapids Prep (transitional), Des Moines Prep (transitional), Davenport Great Oaks High School (Davenport campus), Great Oaks Des Moines (existing/transitional campus), Des Moines South (new campus), Distinctive Innovation Academy, Horizon Science Academy Davenport, Red Barn Schoolhouse, and others. Each contract was considered on the record and approved; several presenters representing the applicants introduced operations, mission-specific goals and opening timelines.

Board discussion and applicant remarks: staff emphasized the contract template is a living document; individual applicants may negotiate limited, application-specific language during final contracting. Several applicants briefed the board in person or via video and described plans for mission-specific goals such as postsecondary pathways (Davenport Prep's requirement that seniors receive at least two postsecondary opportunities), career-technical credentialing, mastery-based learning, and nature-based elementary programming (Red Barn Schoolhouse). Davenport Prep founding principal Matt Lakeitz said, \"We're incredibly excited about this opportunity in Davenport to serve students differently and ensure that they are set up for post secondary success.\" (applicant remarks recorded on the transcript.)

What the documents require: the template clarifies renewal-year reporting, mandates an annual audit due by March 31, incorporates statutory termination language, and lists mission-specific goals to be included in the contract. The performance framework ties renewal pathways to demonstrated standards across academic, financial and organizational measures and allows mission-specific measures to be set by the charter and assessed by the authorizer.

Next steps: contracts for schools that have not yet finalized facilities include follow-up amendments when sites, leases or capital plans are finalized; the department and applicants will file any necessary contract amendments with the board. The department also said it will solicit feedback on the framework and iterate in future meetings.

Speakers quoted or on the record: Director Ryan Wise (Director Snow in transcript), Thomas Mays (general counsel), Matt Lakeitz (Davenport Prep founding principal), and multiple board members who moved and seconded motions.","The State Board of Education approved updates to its standard charter school contract and a first-iteration Charter School Performance Framework, then voted to approve a group of charter school contracts and transitional contracts for campuses across Iowa.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sioux Central agriculture teacher Melanie Bloom named 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Board hears Perkins V update, approves WTED community college plans for workforce training

Iowa posts mixed NAEP results; state highlights reading gains and proposes Math Counts Act to boost math instruction

State board adopts charter contract template, performance framework and approves a slate of new charter contracts