Supporting Attendance Initiatives in Iowa
Iowa is taking steps to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism across the state. Although chronic absenteeism in Iowa has declined, it still remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The Iowa Department of Education (Iowa DOE) is developing guidance and resources to help districts refine their processes and programs to improve attendance. These resources will support public school districts as they work toward meeting new guidelines from the Iowa Senate around attendance requirements.
The Iowa DOE is partnering with the Midwest Comprehensive Center to support education leaders across the state as they work to improve attendance in public schools.
Midwest CC will support the Iowa DOE by:
- Providing coaching to help the Iowa DOE team participate in the Attendance Works Statewide Challenge;
- Developing resources to support evidence-based attendance practices for alternative and virtual programs and Every Student Succeeds Act Comprehensive schools; and
- Offering training and technical assistance on best practices for improving attendance.
Through this collaboration, Iowa will develop the guidance and resources it needs to engage students and improve attendance.
Reports
Aligning Learning With Local Careers
Designed with rural communities in mind, this discussion guide helps educators build relationships with local employers and align learning with real-world career opportunities. Through practical questions, planning tools, and partnership strategies, schools can strengthen connections between classroom learning and local workforce needs, helping make high school more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for students as they prepare for their future.
