PreK-12 schools

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.

Iowa wants to send money to schools with fewer strings attached under a first-in-the-nation proposal. D.C.-based advocacy groups say it could jeopardize services for vulnerable populations, while superintendents say the lack of detail makes it difficult to predict impacts of the plan.

The USDA said it will invest up to $18 million into a program that makes connections between schools and local farmers after canceling the program in March. The announcement was made alongside the release of the Make America Healthy Again report.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Iowa DOGE Task Force is floating government efficiency ideas that include paying teachers based on their performance and reducing state employee benefits to align with the private sector.

A ban on holding cell phones while driving, removal of gender identity protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act and a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are among the new state laws taking effect July 1.

After more than 60 years, the Orient-Macksburg Community School District has closed its doors for good. Former students, teachers and community members came together recently for a farewell celebration to walk the halls, reminisce and honor the years the school was open.

A new documentary tells how suspicious attempts to claim the 2010 Iowa Hot Lotto Jackpot led to the uncovering of the largest lottery rigging scheme in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher blocked parts of Iowa’s LGBTQ instruction ban but upheld other sections in a ruling issued Thursday. He made a distinction between mandatory lessons and extracurriculars, but there are still questions on what is considered instruction.

In the last 50 years, female students have been able to catch up, and often surpass, male students on many markers of academic success. Now, what can be done to help boys succeed in school?

The bill, proposed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and amended by lawmakers, would use $16 million of existing child care funding for new partnerships that provide a full day of care to 4-year-olds in preschool, among several other changes.