A competitive grant program to recognize teachers who accelerate student learning has been announced in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced the $8.5 million Teachers Accelerating Learning grant program. The aim is to celebrate excellence in teaching and help districts attract and retain teachers. According to the announcement, all Iowa public school districts that commit to developing and implementing a methodology for identifying and recognizing teachers who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth are eligible to apply.

Award amounts will vary based on the number of teachers in the district for the current school year and the 2025-26 school year. The maximum amount per district award is $500,000 per year or $1 million over two years with 95% of that total award required to support supplementary teacher pay. The funds for the program are from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Districts selected will use the grant dollars to provide supplementary pay of up to $2,500 to a teacher per year for the top 10% of teachers within the district who accelerate student learning beyond one year’s growth. Applications are due January 10th, 2025. 

The funding opportunity details can be found at iowagrants.gov at this link.