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Department highlights statewide reading packs, teacher grants and standards review in director's report
Summary
The Iowa Department of Education told the State Board it distributed decodable book packs to nearly 38,000 first graders using a state-directed $3.5 million investment and opened an $8.5 million teacher accelerating learning grant; the department also outlined standards review timelines and launched special education family portal work.
The Iowa Department of Education reported Jan. 9 that it has distributed decodable book packs to nearly 38,000 Iowa first graders as part of a $3.5 million state-directed purchase intended to reinforce early literacy at home.
Director Snow (department) told the State Board the packs — two decodable-book packets per first grader — were shipped to 826 elementary schools and include QR codes linking to short video lessons to support families using the books at home. The department described decodable books as tightly patterned, sequential readers that help beginning students link letters and sounds.
The director’s report also covered funding and program updates: - Teacher accelerating learning grant: The department announced $8.5 million available to districts to provide supplemental…
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