The Department works in collaboration with the state
system of public libraries and assists with the educational services provided
by Iowa Public Television and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Department Organization and Structure (See Directories ) (See Organization Chart. )
The Department of Education employs approximately 210
people in three major divisions: Community Colleges and Workforce Preparation;
Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education ; and Financial and
Information Services . Although the state libraries, vocational rehabilitation,
and public television remain affiliated with the Department of Education, their
operations have expanded and developed into independent entities with
independent boards.
The Division of Community Colleges and Workforce
Preparation includes the bureau of Career and Technical Education and is
responsible for granting and monitoring the accreditation of the state's 15
community colleges. Division staff work directly with the community colleges to
assure programs and structure meet state requirements for quality and equity.
The
state's community colleges have an "open-door" admission policy that
guarantees Iowans an opportunity for education and career development
regardless of previous educational attainment. Each community college offers a
comprehensive educational program in three major areas of instruction: College
parallel coursework, preparatory career programs of vocational and technical
education, and adult education. Community colleges are governed by locally
elected boards of directors that consist of from five to nine members who are
elected for terms of three years.
The Division of PK-12 Education is comprised of the bureaus of School Improvement Services;
Instructional Services; Practitioner Preparation; Teacher Quality; Children,
Family and Community Services; and Nutritional Programs and School
Transportation. The Division has the primary responsibility to monitor
accreditation to elementary and secondary schools, provide guidance and
oversight to the implementation of federal and state laws, and recommend
approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs and Area Education
Agency agencies to the Director.
The staff works directly with the state's 365 local
districts and 11 AEAs to assure their curriculum, teachers, administrators,
facilities, policies, and school-related programs meet all requirements defined
by the state as necessary for a quality education. The staff also provides
research, technical assistance, and guidance when districts need support in
meeting their student achievement goals. Each local school district and AEA is
governed by its own local board that sets specific policy, defines academic
requirements and approves the local budget.
The
Division of Financial and Information Services is comprised of the bureaus of
Internal Operations; Information Technology Services; Planning, Research
and Evaluation; the School Finance Team; and School Infrastructure. Internal
Operations services provided to the Department include accounting, budgeting,
grant management, audit, human resources, mail services, and payroll.
Information Technology Services include desktop and mainframe support, computer
server and network administration and support, system programming and
development, email administration, web development, computer hardware and
software evaluation, and data entry. The Bureau of Planning, Research and
Evaluation serves both the department and schools with a wide range of data
collection and reporting systems and support, and has implemented a
comprehensive system of online data called Project EASIER (Electronic Access
for Iowa Education Records). The bureau also provides assistance and counsel to
districts regarding local technology needs.
Although
the Department's scope of responsibility spans from prekindergarten through
community colleges, one of its most important leadership roles is to set
priorities for the state's educational system. Current priorities include:
- improving
access to and quality of preschool programs;
- providing professional development
and technical assistance for the improvement of teaching;
- implementation of new
state and federal laws;
- improving the rigor and relevance of high school courses
in an environment with caring relationships; and
- improving the transitions
between grade levels to gain a more seamless, high quality education system.
|
About the Department of Education 
