Scot Aden

The Iowa State Board of Education's plan is dedicated to building an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential and experience world-class education. The plan outlines five key goals: promoting safe, orderly, and welcoming learning environments; promoting equity in education by closing achievement and opportunity gaps; ensuring high-quality teachers, educators, and leaders; providing all students with multiple pathways for postsecondary success through high-quality career and academic programs; and championing excellence, persistence, and accountability by State Board members in achieving these goals.

The agenda for the meeting included the Director's Report, Bureau Leadership Updates covering Community Engagement and Financial Aid Program Administration, and staff reports on various programs. Key action items involved the approval of the meeting minutes from January 9, 2026, and the rescheduling of the May 8, 2026, Commission meeting to May 1, 2026. Discussions also covered updates from the Postsecondary Attainment Institute (PAI), including the annual report detailing Fiscal Year 2024 activities and Fiscal Year 2025 finances. Furthermore, administrative rules for several chapters of the Iowa Administrative Code were recommended for adoption, and updates on Postsecondary Authorization applications were reviewed.

The meeting involved the approval of the agenda and the panel's By-Laws updates. A presentation was given on the State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR), highlighting compliance indicators for IDEA, including positive results in Early Childhood Indicator 11 (Child Find) and improvements in early childhood placement data. Discussions covered mixed results in early childhood outcomes, suspension/expulsion data (Indicators 4A and 4B), and transition/graduation rates. Updates were provided on major enhancements to the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) systems within ACHIEVE, focusing on improved user functionality and better integration between FBA/BIP and the IEP process. Future agenda items include implications of federal block grants and legislative updates. A standing agenda item for Department Updates was suggested.

The meeting included procedural items such as approving the agenda. Key discussion topics involved updates from the Department of Education regarding updated Dyslexia Board and Dyslexia websites, attendance at conferences (IDA Annual Conference, DDIA Educator Conference), submission of the Legislative Report, and updates on LETRS training, the CLSD grant, and the IA Dyslexia Professional Learning Plan. Updates from the Division of Teacher Quality and Innovation covered releasing FORT scores, planning for the 2026 Higher Education Summer Summit, site visits for institutions of higher education, and the HQIM Leadership Academy. The Board reviewed and unanimously approved revisions to the Iowa Dyslexia Board By-laws and Operating Procedures after legal review. The board also engaged in a brainstorming session regarding actionable goals for the Iowa Dyslexia Webpage, which will be revisited at the next meeting. Further discussion centered on providing deeper information regarding the CLSD grant and reviewing the IDA's new dyslexia definition and the related Iowa Dyslexia Professional Learning Plan updates.

The meeting commenced with a call to order. Key discussions included a presentation from Health & Human Services regarding Thrive Iowa and CAPTA data and process improvement, followed by a provider story session. A family story was also shared. The main substantive agenda item was a discussion concerning the Early ACCESS Annual Performance Report, specifically focusing on State Early Childhood Outcome Data. Announcements were made before the adjournment of the main meeting and the subsequent Executive Committee meeting.