DES MOINES, IOWA (April 30, 2019) — Today at the Future Ready Iowa Summit, Governor Kim Reynolds called for expanding opportunities for K-12 students to engage in real-world professional experiences that connect the classroom to careers. Gov Reynolds also announced the Iowa Department of Education will develop a blueprint by the end of 2019 for the work-based learning experiences that should be accessible to every student.
"Each day, we're sharpening Iowa’s competitive edge in education and expanding our workplace partnerships with job-ready, STEM-savvy, life-long learners," said Gov Reynolds. "It's vital our students think differently and explore their options when it comes to post-secondary education, so they can be adaptable in the disruptive economy of the future."
"There is great value in relevant, high-quality work-based learning because it helps students understand what interests them and helps them make important decisions about college or career training” said Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg. “We want these opportunities to be widely available, with an emphasis on reaching more students in rural areas, which often have fewer employers and minority students.”
Work-based learning opportunities for K-12 students have been growing across the state in recent years. These efforts include the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council’s STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) program with 50 projects; the Statewide Work-Based Learning Intermediary Network, run by Iowa’s community colleges; and Registered Apprenticeship programs in high school in at least six school districts. The virtual Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning will launch July 1 with projects posted online by employers that educators can select to help students develop technical and soft skills.
The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council hosted the summit at the Iowa Events Center.
