Area Education Agencies

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are more stable than last year, but they still face uncertainty now that the law that shifted some of their funding to school districts has fully phased in. AEA and school district leaders said they continue to see a difference in how the law is affecting small and large school districts.

As the school year begins, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and school districts are implementing a new law that shifts some AEA funding to school districts and moves oversight of special education from AEAs to the state.

The Iowa Legislature adjourned this past weekend, the eighth session in a row with Republican control.

The Iowa Senate confirmed the former Virginia deputy director and education advisor in the Trump administration to lead the Iowa Department of Education.

Gov. Kim Reynolds says a new law giving the state more oversight of the state’s nine Area Education Agencies introduces more accountability into special education.

Senate Republicans are sending an education package to the governor that overhauls the state’s Area Education Agencies. It also increases school funding and gives teachers a raise.

The Iowa House has passed an education package that combines changes to the state’s Area Education Agencies with an increase in teacher pay and this year’s school funding plan.

The Iowa Senate has weighed in on changes to the state’s Area Education Agencies with a bill that would put local school districts in charge of almost all of the state funding for AEA services.

The second legislative deadline for lawmakers to get most bills approved by a committee is coming up at the end of this week.

Over two years, the bill would increase the minimum salary schools can pay teachers from $33,500 per year to $50,000.