Iowa
K-12 public schools in Iowa enroll about 488,000 students, with 34% in poverty, 4% learning English, 16% minorities, and annual expenditures of about $4.5 billion. (Most recent NCES data)
Litigation
Plaintiffs in a case challenging the constitutionality of a key aspect of the state’s school funding system withdrew the suit without prejudice after the legislature revised the provision.
No recent developments have occurred.
In 2002, a coalition of 160 school districts and individual plaintiffs filed Coalition for a Common Cents Solution v. State in the Iowa District Court for Warren County, a state trial court, alleging that the 1998 Local Option Sales Tax—which allowed counties and cities to levy an additional one-cent sales tax for school facilities—was unconstitutional because it provided unequal and inadequate educational resources to children who live in "non-retail-rich" counties or cities. In 2003, the legislature amended the law so that revenue from the tax is deposited in a state fund and distributed equitably among “local option districts.” Therefore, in 2004 plaintiffs withdrew the suit without prejudice.
"The educational and school funds and lands shall be under the control and management of the general assembly of this state." Iowa Const., art. IX, 2nd, § 1.
"The general assembly shall encourage by all suitable means, the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement." Iowa Const., art. IX, 2nd, § 3.
The Iowa courts have not yet been called on to interpret the education article.
Pre-K
Iowa has two state-funded pre-K initiatives: Iowa's Shared Visions initiative, and the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP).
During the 2009-2010 school year, these programs served a combined 38% of 4-year-olds. This represents a great improvement from the 29% of 4-year-olds served in the 2008-2009 school year, 17% of 4-year olds served in the 2007-2008 school year, and the 4% served in the 2006-2007 school year. However, only 1% of 3 year-olds were served.
Shared Visions
Through a competitive grant process, funds are given to public schools, private agencies, faith based centers and Head Start Agencies to start pre-K programs. Grantees may subcontract with other organizations.
Children ages 3 and 4 who are income eligible may participate in the program. At least 80% of the children in each classroom must be eligible to receive free lunch. The remaining 20% can be eligible based on other factors such as, developmental delay, homelessness, low birth weight, or having parent with a substance abuse problem or who is incarcerated.
Families who are over-income may be charged on sliding fee scale determined by the program itself.
The program can also tailor its services to meet local needs. The length and duration of the program is also determined locally.
Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
SVPP is implemented through local districts, which are required to collaborate with community providers, private preschools, Head Start programs, and other early care and education programs.
SVPP is open to all 4-year-olds, even if they do not live in the district offering the program. Districts may enroll 3- or 5-year-olds if space and funds permit. A sliding payment scale may apply to children not meeting free and reduced priced lunch qualifications; however, this is determined locally.
SVPP offers a minimum of 10 hours a week of pre-K instruction, exclusive of recess.
Shared Visions
Funding for Shared Visions is dependent on annual legislative appropriations administered by the Child Development Coordinating Council. This funding stream involves state-funded grants paid to providers of pre-K, including public schools, Head Start agencies and private, center-based providers.
Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
During the phase-in period (school years 2007-2008 to 2010-2011), school districts participating in SVPP will receive per pupil pre-K foundation aid from a fixed yearly appropriation during their first year of operation.
Following the phase-in period, pre-K foundation aid will flow to school districts directly through the state education aid formula in the same manner as K-12 aid. Pre-K foundation aid will be based on actual enrollment and paid at a per pupil rate of 60% of the state’s K-12 per pupil foundation aid.
According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), Iowa served 38% of 4-year-olds in its state pre-k programs in the 2009-2010 school year, which is a growth from the 29% of 4-year-olds served in 2008-2009, 17% served in 2007-2008, and the 4% served in 2006-2007. However, only 1% of 3-year-olds were served.
Quality Standards
Shared Visions
The Shared Visions program reached 6 out of 10 benchmarks in the 2008-2009 school year, which is an improvement from the 5 benchmarks reached during the 2006-2007 school year.
The 6 benchmarks reached were:
- Early Learning Standards
- Requirement that teachers have specialized training in pre-K education
- Class size limits of 20 students
- Class ratio of 1:10 or better
- Screening/referral and support services
- Requirement to provide at least one meal a day
The 4 benchmarks not met were:
- Teacher must have Bachelor’s degree
- Assistant teacher must have a Child Development Associate credential, or equivalent
- Teacher in-service (at least 15 hours/year)
- Monitoring/Site visit program
Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
In its third year being rated by NIEER (2009-2010), SVVP reached 8 out of 10 benchmarks.
The 8 benchmarks met were:
- Early Learning Standards
- Teacher must have a Bachelor’s degree
- Requirement that teachers have specialized training in pre-K education
- Teacher in-service (at least 15 hours/year)
- Class size limits of 20 students
- Class ratio of 1:10 or better
- Screening/referral and support services
- Monitoring/Site visit program
The 2 benchmarks not met were:
- Assistant teacher must have a Child Development Associate credential, or equivalent
- Requirement to provide at least one meal a day
Early care staff designated by the Director of the Department of Management will institute and oversee accountability measures for assessing the outcomes produced by all early childhood education programs. This staff will also be responsible for compiling information on all programs and providing an annual report to the governor and general assembly regarding the outcomes produced by individual programs.
Under the Shared Visions program, grantees must implement procedures to assess program effectiveness and accountability. Grantees must report annually on expenditures, enrollment, assessment measures, staff qualifications, etc. In the spring of 2011, GOLD assessment training will be provided, and programs will eventually be expected to report assessment information to the Department of Education.
SVPP requires school districts to track student progress and submit annual reports to the Department of Education.
