Iowa’s STEM Scale-Up programs are giving students a boost, according to a new evaluation. It shows students taking part in the programs scored an average of 6 percentage points higher on their annual math and science assessments. 81 percent of the teachers in the program said they had more confidence teaching STEM content.… MORE
Urbandale’s Webster Elementary School and Grinnell’s Davis Elementary are among five Iowa schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015. The honor is for overall academic excellence, or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. A state educational task force is recommending a new science exam for public schools. The exam aligns with…… MORE
Harding Middle School students got a special visit from actor and White House staffer Kal Penn early this week. Penn is the ambassador to the school for the White House’s “Turnaround Arts Initiative,” which incorporates art-focused activities in regular courses such as math, science, and civic engagement. It was Penn’s second time checking up on…… MORE
Des Moines’ city hall is getting an overhaul…and it means some of its operations will have to temporarily relocate. The historic building is getting new heating and cooling equipment, and a new sprinkler system. The 3-million dollar project is expected to start next summer. Des Moines’ 25-year comprehensive plan will include downtown development…and the city…… MORE
Des Moines’ city manager says he’s waiting for a detailed list of concerns from the city’s fire fighters’ union to see what can be done to ease tension in the department over leadership. 86 percent of the union’s members voted no confidence in the chief this summer. They’ve been making their complaints via social media.…… MORE
Plan DSM was on display last night at Bright Grandview Clubhouse for the first of four public meetings. Mayor Frank Cownie says they’ll incorporate the feedback into the final draft sometime in February, and will rewrite codes to comply with it. The next meeting is Tuesday at Polk County River Place. Building up Iowa’s relationship…… MORE
The state Department of Justice and Department of Corrections need more money from the legislature’s budget in the upcoming year, at least that was the center of discussion at the first meeting of the Governor’s Working Group on Justice Policy Reform. The group of state leaders met at the capitol on Thursday in what is…… MORE
A commercial delegation from China is in Des Moines today finalizing more than a dozen contract for Iowa products. Overall exports to China for the first half of this year are up more than 63 percent from the same time last year, making China the state’s third-largest export market. Iowa saw an uptick in its…… MORE
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ efforts in Iowa have been paying off in recent weeks, as he has taken the lead (albeit by one point) over long-time front-runner Hillary Clinton. A lot of that support is funneled by a more focused organization in Des Moines at the state campaign’s headquarters. According to the campaign, a…… MORE
Iowa’s governor was among five U-S governors who met with China’s president yesterday in Seattle to discuss ways to work together on clean energy technology. The gathering signed an agreement to cooperate on boosting businesses that create renewable and clean energy. Governor Branstad says a Chinese delegation will be visiting Des Moines tomorrow. Republican state…… MORE
