Iowa
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “Iowa students who are college and career ready have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to be successful in postsecondary opportunities as demonstrated through multiple sources of evidence, including those generated by students. Iowa students who are college and career ready have successfully: achieved proficiency in essential content knowledge, acquired practical transition skills, developed key learning skills and cognitive strategies, and built a strong foundation of self-understanding and engagement strategies.”
Yes
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness standards are available here.
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
- AP scores
- ACT/SAT scores
- Students enrolled in Postsecondary Enrollment Options courses
- NAEP scores
- CTE enrollment
- Students enrolling in postsecondary education within 16 months
Additional Resource: Postsecondary Enrollment Metrics
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes, find out more about college/career readiness in the state’s accountability formula here.
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Postsecondary Enrollment
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes, the following Durable Skills are reflected in the state’s career-readiness standards:
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Fortitude
- Growth Mindset
- Leadership
- Metacognition
- Mindfulness
Yes
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
Yes, the state’s career-readiness/employability skills are available here.
Yes
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes, the state has a complete framework for work-based learning.
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
Yes
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
Yes.
Yes
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes, the state’s work-based learning quality guide can be found here.
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes, Iowa reports participation data, but not student outcomes, as part of the annual CTE reporting.
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
No
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
No
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
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