Iowa

Overview

During the 2021-2022 school year, Iowa preschool programs enrolled 27,078 children, an increase of 1,983 from the prior year, as the program began to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. State spending totaled $88,176,654, with an additional $5,152,861 in federal recovery funds to support the program, down $6,050,674 (6%), adjusted for inflation since last year. State spending per child (including federal recovery funds) equaled $3,622 in 2021-2022, down $530 from 2020-2021, adjusted for inflation. Iowa met 8 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.

What's New

Senate file 160 required districts to provide an option for in-person instruction for all children participating in Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs (SWVPP). Families could choose in-person or virtual instruction for their children when a district provided both options. 

Given many districts had experienced reduced enrollment (resulting in reduced funding), the School Budget Review Committee approved the Department of Education’s use of ESSER III funds to back-fill SWVPP budgets in eligible districts due to lost enrollment during the 2020-2021 school year. 

For Shared Visions (SV) grantees, new legislation now allows carryforward funding from the 2021-2022 program year, so grantees were not required to revert unspent funds at the end of the grant year. Additionally, a new state commitment provides SV grantees with access to an online program, which supports early language development and family engagement, during the 2022-2023 program year. 

End of year reporting data reflects grantees’ experiences with staffing shortages and a decrease in the availability of community resources and referral agencies. However, professional development provided virtually increased as did the quality and ability to access these opportunities. 

Programs providing extended child care opportunities have an option to access one of two state-funded child care management systems, brightwheel and Playground. Programs that participate receive free technical assistance and support from a financial consultant.

Background

Iowa has two state-funded preschool programs: Shared Visions (SV) and the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP). The Shared Visions program has provided services to 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds since 1989 through competitive grants to public schools, licensed non-profit childcare centers, other public non-profit agencies, and Head Start. Shared Visions serves children in part-, school-, or extended-day programs. 

Iowa began the SWVPP in 2007 to increase 4-year-olds’ access to preschool. All 4-year-olds in the state are eligible to attend SWVPP. Funding for the SWVPP is based on the state funding formula in which 4-year-olds are funded at 50% of the K–12 state aid amount. SWVPP classrooms operate at least 10 hours per week and programs may collaborate with Head Start, other preschool programs, or childcare programs to provide the SWVPP and/or offer full-day services. 

Both SWVPP and Shared Visions have undergone formal evaluations. As part of the state longitudinal data system, all children enrolled in either program receive a unique state identification number. 

An important difference between the two state-funded preschool programs pertains to child eligibility. Shared Visions is a targeted program where at least 80% of children are required to meet income eligibility guidelines (family income at or below 130% FPL). Children can also qualify for the program based on other risk factors but may be required to pay a fee based on a sliding scale. Services within this program are provided in 29 of Iowa’s 99 counties through 49 awarded grants. Programming is offered in 23 school district locations (through 16 school districts), representing less than 5% of school districts. In addition, services are provided in 26 other community-based locations, representing 11 organizations. In contrast, SWVPP, is available in 99% of school districts and all resident children who turn four by September 15 are eligible to attend. 

Shared Visions lead teachers are required to meet the educational qualifications as outlined in the program standards selected within the awarded application. While requirements within selected program standards vary, 76% of lead teachers hold a BA degree or higher in early childhood, child development, or a related field, while another 22% hold an AA degree in early childhood or a related field. All SWVPP lead teachers must have at least a BA and an Iowa teaching license with an early childhood endorsement.