Iowa Department of Education

Several major policy and funding actions were taken during the 2007 Legislative process. Increased rigor was addressed by the expansion of Iowa’s Model Core Curriculum; teachers’ salaries were greatly enhanced, a step that will help Iowa keep its best and brightest; a quality statewide 4-year-old preschool program was created; and incentives were developed to promote sharing and efficiencies in schools.

The Iowa State Board of Education has already established its legislative priorities for the upcoming year. At this critical juncture, policy stability and the alignment of resources to funded priorities are keys to ensuring that the hopes created by these new initiatives are realized. The State Board of Education believes that Iowa should seize the opportunity ahead and continue to evolve into the system that meets all students’ needs in the 21st century.