This task force and charge was created from HF 868, section 22:

  1. The director of the department of education, in consultation with Iowa jobs for America's graduates, shall convene a task force on growing a diverse prekindergarten through grade twelve teacher base in Iowa.
  2. The director of the department of education or the director's designee shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. The department of education shall provide staffing services for the task force.
  3. The task force shall, at a minimum, consist of the following members:
    1. Representatives from public and private institutions of higher education engaged in practitioner preparation.
    2. Representatives from state agencies engaged in practitioner preparation and licensure.
    3. Representatives from area education agencies and school districts, including but not limited to teachers, administrators, and counselors, particularly those involved in competency-based education.
    4. Representatives from apprenticeship programs and workforce development organizations.
    5. Representatives from organizations that provide direct student support leading to graduation and career pathways or that provide remedial academic and career support outside the traditional classroom or school day.
    6. Representatives from community-based organizations that have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce development.
    7. Persons representing current teachers, administrators, and school board members.
  4. The task force shall do all of the following:
    1. Develop a framework that expands opportunities for a more diverse teacher workforce and establishes a unique teacher career pathway for participants to achieve a bachelor's degree and teacher licensure while engaged meaningfully in the education system.
    2. Demonstrate how the proposed pathway maintains a high-quality standard of learning and teacher preparation for all participants.
    3. Recommend methods to attract, engage, and retain a high number of participants to make up a diverse teacher workforce that reflects the growing diverse population of students across Iowa, both rural and urban.
    4. Recommend a pilot or experimental opportunity for a finite group of participants during the 2022-2023 school year that may be developed within an organization such as Iowa jobs for America's graduates.
  5. The task force shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislative or administrative rule changes, to the governor, the general assembly, and the state board of education by December 15, 2021.

Final Report

Meeting Dates and Agendas

Aug. 17, 2021, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

  • Introductions
  • Examine current code/rules
  • Examine shortage and demographic data
  • Examine current program options

Aug. 24, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • Examine additional data and reports 
  • Begin brainstorming ideas

Sept. 7, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • Examine additional articles submitted by members
  • Discuss ideas produced in the Aug. 24 meeting

Sept. 21, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • Vote on retaining ideas from Sept. 7 meeting
  • Discuss rationale for voting

Oct. 5, 2021 9-11a.m.

  • Discuss additional articles
  • Review a registered apprenticeship pathway
  • Sketch/design potential pathways to produce a diverse teaching force

Oct. 26, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • In small groups, discuss potential pathway compiled from Oct. 5 meeting

Nov. 9, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • Reviewed/edit a draft report, including a proposed pathway

Nov. 19, 2021 9-11 a.m.

  • Finalize the report

Dec. 14, 2021 10-10:30 a.m.

  • Review final report
  • Review task force process
  • Public comment

Membership

  • George Anderson, Iowa Teacher of the Year
  • Lisa Bartusek, Executive Director, Iowa Association of School Boards
  • Mary Jane Cobb, Executive Director, Iowa State Education Association
  • Stacey Cole, Superintendent, Storm Lake CSD
  • Billie Cowley, Dean, Upper Iowa University School of Education
  • Samantha Dahlby, Director of K-12 Education, NewBo Co
  • Heidi Doellinger, Director of Educator Preparation, ISU School of Education
  • Benjamin Forsyth, Director of Educator Preparation, UNI College of Education
  • Brittany Garling, Dean, Buena Vista University School of Education
  • LuAnn Haase, Director of Intern program, Morningside University
  • Carly Harper, Vice President, Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG)
  • Roark Horn, Executive Director, School Administrators of Iowa
  • Will Keeps, CEO, Starts Right Here
  • Rebecca Leinaar, Current program manager, former iJAG Specialist
  • Mark McDermott, Associate Dean, University of Iowa College of Education 
  • Renee Miller, Chief Community Impact Officer, United Way of Central Iowa
  • Laurie Phelan, CEO, President, Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG)
  • Maryam Rod Szabo, Iowa Department of Education, Program Consultant
  • Ali Sidwell, Iowa Workforce Development, Bureau Chief 
  • Greer Sisson, Director of the US Dept of Labor – Iowa Office of Apprenticeship
  • Andrea Stewart, Focus Area Consultant , Mississippi Bend AEA; 
  • Joanne Tubbs, Lead Consultant, Licensure, Iowa Board of Educational Examiners 
  • Jamie Walker Sallis, Equity Innovator, Davenport CSD 
  • Cindy Yelick, Chief, Great Prairie AEA

Ad Hoc Members

  • Ann Lebo, Director, Iowa Department of Education
  • Chris Cournoyer, Senator, District 49, Iowa Senate
  • Michael Cavin, Executive Director, Iowa Board of Educational Examiners