Gov. Reynolds Announces Funding to Train Teachers, Health Care Workers, Aircraft Techs

Several career-focused educational grants and funding opportunities were announced last week for Iowa institutions.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced funding initiatives in her 2022 Condition of the State Address, including the first-in-the nation Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program.

Through the program, current high school students can earn paraeducator certificates and associates degrees, and paraeducators can earn their bachelor’s degree while learning and working in the classroom. The program starts in the 2022-2023 school year.

Iowa will spend $9 million in American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief funding on the program.

School districts must partner with local community colleges or four-year colleges to provide the required education and training. The Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Workforce Development will provide up to $40,500 over three years per high school student who completes either the paraeducator certificate or the associate’s degree model. The DOE will provide up to $47,000 over two years for every paraeducator who completes the bachelor’s degree.

Specifically, that funding will support tuition and fees up to $7,000 for up to three years at a community college and up to $17,000 per year for up to two years at a public or private four-year college. The state will support a $12 hourly wage for high school aids and half of districts’ wages for aides and paraeducators for up to 30 hours per week for 36 weeks…..(Excerpts from the Virginia Star)