State
Follow the latest K-12 education developments across Iowa, including news from school districts, the state education agency, associations and education organizations.
Last updated: September 16, 2026
As of October 7, 2026, K-12 News has published 3 Iowa stories over the last 30 days, from 1 organization. The most frequent themes are School Districts, STEM and Teacher Workforce.
Jessica Howard, who teaches business and computer science at Lone Tree, was selected from nine regional finalists for the statewide honor. She brings industry experience to career-connected learning.
The nine educators represent Iowa’s education regions and advance as finalists for the 2027 Iowa Teacher of the Year award. The statewide winner will be announced later this fall.
The 44 Iowa elementary students selected for a 10-year math enrichment program will receive mentoring and learning support. They come from 18 public school districts and four accredited nonpublic schools.
business and computer science teacher
States are funding educator recruitment and preparation and changing certification pathways: Kansas received an $8.4 million federal educator-pipeline grant, while Illinois allocated $15 million for recruitment and retention in 100 districts accounting for about 77% of reported teacher vacancies. Pennsylvania joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to reduce certification barriers for eligible out-of-state teachers, and Connecticut opened registration for a free six-week paraeducator preparation academy. Teacher recognition programs also progressed from regional selections to finalists and statewide winners in Missouri and Iowa, while Colorado announced finalists and Hawaii, Kansas, Indiana, New York and Florida named 2027 Teachers of the Year.
State math results varied in 2025–26: Connecticut reported gains, Colorado recorded elementary math gains across many student groups, and Mississippi saw a slight decline in math proficiency. Mississippi is implementing the Mississippi Math Act statewide in 2026–27, while Iowa selected 44 elementary students from 18 public districts and four accredited nonpublic schools for a 10-year math enrichment program with mentoring and learning support. New York released preliminary statewide mathematics test data.
Based on: Forty-four mathematically extraordinary students named Iowa’s 2026 National Math Stars in first-in-the-nation state partnership
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 7, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
Orange County Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Maine Department of Education · Oct 6, 2026
Clark County School District · Oct 6, 2026
