OMAHA, NEBRASKA - AIM issued a report today that says Iowa's total postsecondary information technology (IT) degrees and certificates awarded was 2,333 for the 2012-2013 academic year. The total is 7% lower than the previous year. "After four years of steady growth, 2013 saw an overall decrease in the number of college IT degrees and certificates awarded in Iowa," according to Levi Thiele, AIM Director of Research.

Among other trends in Iowa; 25% of the total number of IT degrees and certificates in Iowa were awarded to women, a higher percentage than the national average; bachelor's degrees remain the most common degree awarded in Iowa in IT; and the five most popular IT degrees included: (1) Computer and Information Sciences - General, (2) Computer Science, (3) Computer / IT Administration and Management, (4) Computer Programming, and (5) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.

The report titled, "Iowa Postsecondary IT Degree Completions, 2009-2013" details a number of findings including postsecondary IT degree completions, IT degree award levels, analysis of gender, race, and ethnicity completions and the most popular IT degrees and certificates pursued.

The expectation for high-tech high-skilled workers in Iowa to effectively compete in ever-changing economic markets, means keeping technology education a priority. The Iowa Postsecondary IT Degree Completions study provides a fact-based measure of critical education priorities.

Analysts predict more than 4 million U.S. IT and computing jobs by 2020. Even if the actual job totals turn out to be lower, there is no way to fill those jobs with American students without education systems that adequately prepare them.

Based on the research, Dr. Thiele adds, "While women are making gains in IT degree completions in Iowa, they are still underrepresented. In order to keep up with the growing job market needs, we need to produce more graduates to fill these jobs and that includes more women graduates."

See Full Report

About AIM

AIM is a not-for-profit community organization that promotes technology to empower people, enhance organizations and create brilliant communities. AIM's signature services include Careerlink- the region's leading career development website and Infotec- the Midwest's premier business and IT conference, and Hatchfund- a crowdfunding source for artists. For more information about these services, training, youth programs, research and more, visit www.aimforbrilliance.org.

 

# # #

Black Hawk College is celebrating National Adult Education Week Sept. 22-28.

Each year, approximately 1,600 students enroll in GED completion and non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Black Hawk College.

Approximately 30 million Americans age 25 and older have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent, and 93 million function below the high school level.

Adult Education programs serve individuals age 16 and older who need to improve their basic skills with an emphasis on literacy, mathematics and English language proficiency.

Black Hawk College provides Adult Education classes at no cost to students who qualify.

Instructors work with each student to design an individual learning plan that aligns to his/her goals, such as to:

• Get, retain or advance in a job.
• Get off public assistance and earn a family-sustaining income.
• Complete high school or obtain a GED certificate.
• Transfer to a community college or training program.
• Help their children succeed in school.
• Manage their family's health care.
• Learn English, understand U.S. culture and be an informed citizen.

Black Hawk College began serving adult learners on July 1, 1969. Today, the Black Hawk College Adult Education program provides instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), high school credit and English as a Second Language (ESL).

For more information, call 309-796-8216.

Chicago man moves to QC, pursues GED at BHC

Vernon Owens is a man who decided to change his life.

He grew up in a family where education was not a high priority. For many years, the lack of a high school diploma was no big deal for him. He had street smarts, and in Chicago they served him well to keep him alive. He held various short-term jobs, but never really thought about the future or a career.

Eventually he realized that his lack of formal education and his bad habits would never get him ahead in life. He decided to leave his family and friends in Chicago and move to the Quad Cities.

In February, at the age of 56, Vernon Owens earned his GED. He was asked to be the guest speaker at the June 12 Black Hawk College GED and High School Graduation Celebration.

Owens talked about how he was "thrown out of high school for reasons such as fighting and playing hooky. I started running with the wrong crowds, picked up some bad habits and lost my way."

"Education just didn't seem important at the time," he said.

"But I now know what it feels like to be a graduate. Not just any graduate, but a GED graduate. One of endurance, one of persistence, one who now knows that with an education comes many opportunities," Owens said.

Branstad-Reynolds Administration continues commitment to better address bullying in schools 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad, First Lady Chris Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced they will visit three Iowa school districts this fall to learn more about what Iowa schools are doing to deal with bullying and what steps Iowans would like the state to take next.

Better addressing the problem of bullying in schools has been a top priority of the Branstad-Reynolds Administration. Their work has included two statewide bullying prevention summits in Des Moines, which each drew an audience of more than 1,000, including many students from across the state. They've also proposed legislation to give schools clear discretion to respond to cyberbullying that occurs away from school but seriously interferes with a student's education at school, as well as requiring parents to be notified if their child is the target of bullying.

Fifty-seven percent of sixth-, eighth- and 11th-graders reported being bullied at school in some way in the past 30 days, according to the 2012 Iowa Youth Survey. That was up from 50 percent in the 2010 Iowa Youth survey.

"All students deserve to feel safe and respected at school," said Governor Branstad. "Many schools and their communities have started anti-bullying campaigns. We want to learn more about what they are doing, and to hear from educators, students, parents, business leaders and others how they think they state could better support their efforts to reduce bullying in schools."

"Cyberbullying is a particular concern," said Reynolds. "We can protect free speech and keep students safe at the same time. We have an obligation to make sure schools have the authority they need to look out for a student who is being tormented on social media"

"As a mother and grandmother, I want to help bring attention to why it's critical to better address the problem of bullying," said Chris Branstad. "It's unacceptable that some students dread going to school because they worry about being taunted by classmates."

The listening tour meetings are open to the public. They will include a panel discussion with students, educators and others as well as time for audience comments and questions.

The first of the three events will be held Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the West High School Media Center, 2001 Casselman St., Sioux City. Branstad and Reynolds will attend.

The second  listening tour town hall will take place Monday, Oct. 6, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at North Linn Junior/Senior High School Gymnasium, 3033 Lynx Dr., Troy Mills. The third town hall will take place Tuesday, Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Orpheum Theater, 220 E. Main St., Marshalltown. The governor, first lady and lt. governor will attend both of those meetings.

Photos of Gov. Branstad, First Lady Mrs. Chris Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds can be found here.

###

Congressman's proposal helps current students with tuition costs, while providing relief with high levels of student loan debt interest

Washington, D.C. - Rep.  Bruce Braley (IA-01) today continued to roll out his College Affordability Plan by introducing legislation designed to help students and parents manage rising tuition costs, as well as provide relief to those facing significant student loan interest payments.

"The value of the American Opportunity Tax Credit and student loan interest deduction have declined significantly?while at the same time tuition and student debt levels are higher than ever?that's not right," Braley said. "These incentives need to have their value restored and indexed to inflation so that we're not facing the same situation in another five or ten years."

Braley is introducing the College Tuition and Debt Relief Act of 2014 today, which is designed to renew and extend tax incentives that help current and future college students afford rising tuition costs, while providing those with high student loan interest costs tax relief. Braley's legislation would:

 

1) Strengthen American Opportunity Tax Credit

The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) provides college students relief from the high cost of tuition. The AOTC is a $2,500 tax credit that can be taken to offset the cost of tuition, fees, and course materials for undergraduate students at two and four year colleges and universities. However, the AOTC is set to expire at the end of 2017. Braley's legislation would:

·         Make the AOTC permanent and increase the credit from $2,500 to $3,000

·         Index AOTC to inflation to ensure that the credit increases as tuition rises

2) Double Student Loan Interest Deduction

This important deduction allows student loan borrowers to deduct up to $2,500 on interest paid on their student loans. The $2,500 limit, originally established in 2001, has not kept pace with inflation or rising tuition costs, significantly reducing its real value. Iowa students graduate with the 6th highest average student debt of any state. According to the Project on Student Debt, the average debt of an Iowa college graduate is $29,456 and Iowa ranks 3rd nationally in the percentage of students who graduate with debt, with nearly 71% taking on student loan debt. Braley's legislation would:

·         Double the deduction from $2,500 to $5,000

·         Index the deduction to inflation ensuring that it will increase as tuition rises

Earlier this week, Braley unveiled the outline of his College Affordability Plan which contains four central components to help students, graduates and parents deal with rising tuition costs and growing student loan debt. The plan includes tax incentives, a grant program for current college students facing financial hardship, and a bill allowing students to refinance their loans at lower market rates.

Yesterday, after asking for and receiving hundreds of stories about Iowans' experiences attaining and paying back student loans, Braley shared those comments with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

For decades college tuition costs have been rising significantly. Student loan debt today totals $1.2 trillion, $864 billion of which is backed by the federal government. More than 70 percent of students who graduated from college in 2012 had student loan debt.

A copy of Braley's College Tuition and Debt Relief Act of 2014 is available online HERE.

# # #