Iowa is working to ensure its schools are safe and supportive. This page features school climate information for Iowa, including a list of grants the State and its communities have received; State discipline and bullying policies; data for a selection of indicators; and related news articles.
Grants Received
State Grant Programs
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program falls under ESSA, subpart 1 of Title IV, Part A. The SSAE program is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. States receive funds in the form of block grants and then fund local education agencies. To learn more, visit the T4PA Center website.
In 2014, the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) received a Project AWARE grant through the Now is the Time initiative. IDOE uses this 5-year grant to 1) train adults on responding to mental health issues when interacting with school-aged youth, 2) connect children, youth and families who may require support to appropriate mental health services, and 3) implement Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid in State and local training programs. For more information about this grant, go to: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-21-006.
In 2010, the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) received a Safe Supportive Schools grant. IDOE used this 4-year grant to implement a measurement system in participating local education agencies to improve conditions for learning. Schools and districts used valid and reliable data to drive research-based prevention and intervention strategies to reduce behaviors that present barriers for learning among high-risk students, such as substance use and aggression. The comprehensive profile (20 pages) and brief snapshot (3 pages) describe the goals of the grant, participating districts, key operational partners, primary interventions and other implementation activities, outcome data, lessons learned, and plans for sustainability. In addition to the cross-grantee Executive Summary, a longer study document is available upon request (contact NCSSLE@air.org).To find out more about this grant, go to: https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/state-grantees/safe-and-supportive-school-s3-grants.
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Video Message: 2014 Iowa Learning Supports Workshop "Make My Day" Jars to Celebrate S3 Related Work Activity Materials Responsible Data Collection Video |
In 2014, the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) received a School Climate Transformation grant. With this 5-year grant, IDOE developed state-wide support systems and provided technical assistance to local educational agencies and schools on implementing evidence-based multi-tiered behavioral frameworks. The primary goal was to improve behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for all students. To find out more about this grant go to: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/schoolclimatesea/index.html.
Local Educational Agency and District Grant Program
In 2019, the Green Hills Area Education Agency (GHAEA) received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/06/21/2019-13289/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program.
In 2014, the Des Moines Independent Community School District and the Ft. Dodge Community School District received a School Climate Transformation grant. With this 5-year grant, schools are developing support systems and providing technical assistance to schools on implementing evidence-based multi-tiered behavioral frameworks. The primary goal is to improve behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for all students. To find out more about this grant go to: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/schoolclimatelea/index.html.
In 2023, the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program
Institution of Higher of Education
In 2022, the University of Northern Iowa received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This university is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program
IIn 2023, the University of Iowa received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This university is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program
Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property
Indicator 1: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Had Been Threatened or Injured with a Weapon (For Example, a Gun, Knife, or Club) on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009, 2013, and 2015.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2011 | 6.3 | 7.4 |
| 2017 | 8.2 | 6.0 |
| 2019 | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| 2021 | 7.0 | 6.6 |
Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property
Indicator 2: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Having Been in a Physical Fight on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009, 2013, and 2015.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2011 | 9.6 | 12.0 |
| 2017 | 7.4 | 8.5 |
| 2019 | 7.6 | 8.0 |
| 2021 | 6.7 | 5.8 |
Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property
Indicator 3: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported that they Were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug by Someone on School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009, 2013, and 2015.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2011 | 11.9 | 25.6 |
| 2017 | 22.1 | 19.8 |
| 2019 | 22.4 | 21.8 |
| 2021 | 22.6 | 22.2 |
Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide
Indicator 4: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009, 2013, and 2015. This state did not have data for this indicator in 2021.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2011 | 14.6 | 15.8 |
| 2017 | 20.2 | 17.2 |
| 2019 | 20.0 | 18.8 |
Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property
Indicator 5: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Being Bullied On School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009, 2013, and 2015.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2011 | 22.5 | 20.1 |
| 2017 | 23.3 | 19.0 |
| 2019 | 23.0 | 19.5 |
| 2021 | 19.6 | 15.0 |
Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good
Indicator 6: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good (Poor Mental Health Includes Stress, Anxiety, and Depression) During the 30 Days Before the Survey
Data for this indicator are not available before 2021.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Iowa | US |
| 2021 | 34.8 | 29.3 |