Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa Senate bill to expand concurrent enrollment holds for expected changes
Potential legislation to expand career and technical education has been tabled in the Iowa Senate Education Committee, after initial approval in subcommittee earlier that day. The bill would allow for more credits to be transferred from community colleges to state universities, and would require the Iowa Board of Regents to conduct a study into establishing a performance-based funding model for the universities they oversee. The bill was tabled due to concerns around summer concurrent enrollment, as this could significantly fiscally affect school districts. To remain eligible for debate, this bill would need approval by a full committee by March 20 in order to remain eligible for debate. Read the full article here.
Raccoon Valley Radio: Senator Green Weighs-In on Bill Allowing Community Colleges to Offer Four-Year Degrees
Senator Jesse Green voiced his support for House File 2649, which would allow community colleges located at least 50 miles from a four-year-degree institution to offer bachelor’s degrees. Citing the statistics that show students who graduate high school in Iowa are likely to move away from their homes to attend college, Senator Green said, “If we have some of our community colleges offering these programs, I think that’s good for rural Iowa to keep some of these students back there utilizing their new education and talents, where they grew up.” Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa community colleges receive state grants to expand career academies
Gov. Reynolds announced on March 9 that four Iowa Community Colleges have been awarded funds from the Career Academy Incentive Fund. Northwest Iowa Community College, North Iowa Area Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College each received $1 million, and Des Moines Area Community College received $776,655 to expand and upgrade their career and technical education facilities. Read the full article here.
Iowa News Now: Iowa community colleges urge lawmakers to boost aid and expand access to scholarships
Community college students from each of Iowa’s 15 community colleges attended a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on March 2. Three students shared their stories, including Allen Byrne, who said, “When you invest in community colleges, you are investing in people like me. Adult learner, veterans, parents, displaced workers, first generation students who are trying to move forward and not fall behind." Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Community colleges tout success of state-sponsored business partnerships
All 15 of Iowa’s community colleges were represented at the Community Colleges Day on the Hill on March 3, and showcased the value of local business partnerships made possible by the 260E and 260F programs. These programs help Iowa businesses, and those looking to relocate to the state, to train new employees by diverting 1.5-3% of their state withholding taxes generated by the new jobs back to their colleges of origin. With over 40 years of success, these programs are instrumental in keeping Iowa’s students working and living in their communities. Additionally, college students and faculty alike were able to speak directly to legislators about their upcoming funding decisions and how community college has positively impacted their lives. Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Businesses speak out against eliminating workforce training program
In a subcommittee meeting on March 4, representatives from higher education and local businesses across Iowa shared their concerns with House Study Bill 755: eliminating the funding for the 260E Workforce Training Program. CEO of ProCircular Aaron Warner told House representatives, “... as an Iowan, sometimes you know when something is working and when something is broken, and there are plenty of broken things right now. This isn’t broken, it works. It’s worked for 40 years, and respectfully, I hope that you wouldn’t change this.” Read the full article here.
Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa House approves community college bachelor’s degree pilot program
The Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 2649 on March 4, moving the bill to the Senate. The bill would address current rural ‘education deserts’ by allowing community colleges 50 miles or more from 4-year universities to offer bachelor’s degrees. By removing a barrier to accessible, affordable education, potential students would no longer need to consider moving away from their hometowns to attend college and jumpstart their careers. Read the full article here.