Iowa Gov Signs Bill to Support 21st Century, College-Educated Workforce

In an effort to prepare students for post-secondary education that meets the needs of key state industries, Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad signed  HF 2392 into law on May 26. The new law will attempt to modernize Iowa’s career technical education system as well as increase the number of Iowans with a post-secondary education by helping eighth-grade students develop career and academic plans with an emphasis on work-based training; establishing regional partnerships to help schools provide career technical education; and, expanding career technical education to include new areas in key state industries. By requiring regional partnerships between high schools and local employers, state leaders hope to increase the likelihood that young Iowans complete a post-secondary degree at a local community or technical college in an area of demand for state or local employers.  S&T industries identified in the bill include information systems; applied sciences and technology; engineering; manufacturing; and, health sciences. These efforts are intended to help achieve the governor’s goal to have 70 percent of the state’s workforce educated beyond a high school degree by 2025.