Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report Executive Summary, 2002

The purpose of this publication is to present the Executive Summary for the Program Year 2002 report on Iowa’s adult basic education program benchmarks. The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress has ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal of the Act is “to increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.”

Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report, 2002

One of the major intents of AEFLA was to establish performance measures and benchmarks to demonstrate increased accountability in line with the major goals and objectives of WIA. Section 212(2)(A) of the Act specifies that each eligible agency (e.g. The Iowa Department of Education) is subject to certain core indicators of performance and has the authority to specify additional indicators.

Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report Executive Summary, 2001

The purpose of this publication is to present the Executive Summary of the first annual report on the results of Iowa’s adult basic education program benchmarks. The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress has ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal of the Act is “to increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.”

Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report, 2001

The purpose of Title II, The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, is to create a partnership among the federal government, states, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult basic education and literacy services.

Iowa Adult Basic Education Program Benchmark Objective for Program Year, 2002

The benchmark objectives for Program Year 2002 are designed to improve Iowa's basic skills literacy program in those instructional programs, educational functioning levels, and follow-up categories which did not achieve the negotiated benchmark levels for Program Year 2001. The instructional programs, educational functioning levels and follow-up categories in which the attained benchmarks met or exceeded the negotiated benchmarks for Program Year 2001 should not be allowed to fall below the Program Year 2001 levels for Program Year 2002.

Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report Executive Summary, 2005

The purpose of this publication is to present the Executive Summary for the Program Year 2002 report on Iowa’s adult basic education program benchmarks. The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress has ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal of the Act is “to increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.”

Development of a Transportation and Land Use Public Policy Education Program for Iowa, 2000

This literature review serves as a foundation for a transportation and land use public policy education program for Iowa. The objective of the review is to summarize relevant research findings, to review the state of practice and policies of other state and local governments, and to explore land use trends both within the state of Iowa and the nation as a whole. Much of what we learned has been incorporated into the course materials. Because we expect to identify more useful sources throughout the project, this literature review should be considered a work in progress.

Iowa's Adult Literacy Program Benchmark Analysis Report, 2002

The purpose of this document is to present Iowa’s Adult Literacy Benchmark Analysis Report: Program Year 2002. The report is designed to provide a supplemental analysis of the information presented in Tables 5-19 (pp. 16-37) referenced in the publication titled Iowa's Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report: Program Year 2002. The original data source for Tables 1-7 is from Iowa’s National Reporting System (NRS) report Tables 4B and 5 and the publication titled Iowa’s Community College Basic Literacy Skills Credential Program: Program Year 2002. (See Appendix B of Iowa’s Adult Basic Education Program Annual Benchmark Report: Program Year 2002, [pp. 54-55] and Iowa’s Community College Basic Literacy Skills Credential Program Annual Report: Program Year 2002 Tables 1-2 [pp. 6-7]).

Placement of Students Ages 3-21 with Disabilities Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): A Policy Discussion, May 2010

The provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE), an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the least restrictive environment (LRE) have been important cornerstones of educating students with disabilities since the enactment of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA), Public Law 94-142, in 1975, and its subsequent reauthorizations, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990, 1997, and 2004. It is impossible to consider any one of these cornerstones without the others, when determining an appropriate educational placement for a student with a disability. The Iowa Department of Education has identified several practice issues regarding the interplay between FAPE, LRE, and the IEP in placement decisions for students with disabilities. To that end, this document will provide guidance for administrators of local education agencies (LEAs) and area education agencies (AEAs), as well as IEP teams (or other placement teams) within Iowa LEAs and AEAs when making placement decisions for eligible children with disabilities. This guidance will specifically discuss ten LRE and FAPE placement/program policy questions that have been identified by the Iowa Department of Education as needing attention. The policy discussions are consistent with the legal provisions of the 2004 reauthorization of IDEA (IDEA 2004) and its 2006 final federal implementing regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). This document is also consistent with the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education (2007) [hereinafter “Iowa Rules”]. In addition, the term local education agency (LEA) is used interchangeably for school district throughout this document. Prior to the discussion of specific policy questions, a federal and state legal framework for providing FAPE for students with disabilities within the LRE is briefly outlined. Pertinent FAPE and LRE court decisions that impact Iowa LEAs and AEAs are also included within Section II.

TOPSpro Data Dictionary, July 1, 2005–June 30, 2006

The passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 [Public Law 105-220] by the 105th Congress has ushered in a new era of collaboration, coordination, cooperation and accountability. The overall goal of the Act is “to increase the employability, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.” The key principles inculcated in the Act are: • Streamlining services; • Empowering individuals; • Universal access; • Increased accountability; • New roles for local boards; • State and local flexibility; • Improved youth programs. The purpose of Title II, The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is to create a partnership among the federal government, states, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy services in order to: • Assist adults become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; • Assist adults who are parents obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; • Assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education. Adult education is an important part of the workforce investment system. Title II restructures and improves programs previously authorized by the Adult Education Act. AEFLA focuses on strengthening program quality by requiring States to give priority in awarding funds to local programs that are based on a solid foundation of research, address the diverse needs of adult learners, and utilize other effective practices and strategies. To promote continuous program involvement and to ensure optimal return on the Federal investment, AEFLA also establishes a State performance accountability system. Under this system, the Secretary and each State must reach agreement on annual levels of performance for a number of “core indicators” specified in the law: • Demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, and speaking the English language, numeracy, problem solving, English language acquisition, and other literacy skills. • Placement in, retention in, or completion of postsecondary education, training, unsubsidized employment or career advancement. • Receipt of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Iowa’s community college based adult basic education program has implemented a series of proactive strategies in order to effectively and systematically meet the challenges posed by WIA. The Iowa TOPSpro Data Dictionary is a direct result of Iowa’s pro-active efforts in this educational arena.

09011-008 Walnut Creek Final Report

Walnut Creek is a Class B warm water stream located in northern Poweshiek County. The creek is sixteen miles in length with 26,223 acres of watershed area. Walnut Creek is listed on the 2008 impaired waters list as biologically impaired. Based on results of biological monitoring, no specific causes of the impairment have been identified. This watershed is of particular significance to the Poweshiek SWCD and the state of Iowa because water quality protection efforts can be implemented that will address the impairment. The Poweshiek SWCD received a watershed development grant in 2005, to complete a watershed assessment for the Walnut Creek Watershed. The results of the assessments showed an estimated 23,224 tons of sediment are delivered annually to Walnut Creek, and, about 34% of land in the watershed is delivering nearly 66% of the sediment. Therefore, the acres with more than 1 ton/ac/yr sediment delivery have been prioritized. In Jan. 2008, an implementation grant began. The 1st year’s EQIP matching funds were obligated by July 2008. Specific objectives are to: 1) Reduce sediment delivery by 3,205 tons, by installing conservation practices on the sediment delivery areas of more that 1 ton/ac/yr, and, 2) Develop an information and education program for landowners. The District has prioritized the Walnut Creek watershed for 50% EQIP funding to be combined with 25% WSPF funds. This application is for additional practice funds, utilized as 50% cost-share, to be used with 25% WSPF funds, for eligible soil loss projects (>1 ton/ac), when EQIP funds are not available.

1016-010 Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Final Report

Part of a phased approach, an intensive information and education program, construction of erosion control practices, and sediment control on construction sites is proposed. These proposed practices will manage sediment runoff and nutrient runoff on agricultural and urban areas. Sediment control “structures” such as waterways, wetlands, modified terraces, grade stabilization structures, sediment basins, and rain gardens is proposed and will be combined with nutrient and pesticide management and reduced tillage to reduce non-point source pollution. A reduction of 15% of the sediment and phosphorus delivered to a water body from priority areas will be looked at as a success in this short-term project focused primarily at education within the project area which is also, for the most part, the top 25% sediment load producing sub-watersheds. In addition, four urban areas have been identified as part of this project as needing immediate assistance. A combination of urban and agricultural conservation practices, shoreline revegetation, and education of landowners will be used to achieve these results on both the urban and the agricultural arena.

07021-008 Sand Creek Watershed Final Report

Sand Creek is the most significant recreational fishery in Delaware County because of its location to Manchester and Lake Delhi. It is a feeder stream for game fish to the main stem of the Maquoketa River which is limited by the dams at Manchester and Lake Delhi. Sand Creek encompasses 16,045 acres and is dominated by row crop agriculture. It is being impacted by sediment, nutrients and E coli bacteria. Sand Creek will be a good example for habitat impaired watershed. The purpose of this project is to decrease the amount of sediment and nutrients reaching Sand Creek and to increase the habitat in Sand Creek to make it a better spawning and growing area for the fish and the food chain for the fish. The objectives of this project are to reduce sediment delivery by 40%, to improve in-stream habitat on 40% of identified critical areas and implement an information/education program. The project will install 3,800 acres of new no-till planting, 6 water and sediment control basins, 4,000 feet of terraces, 20,000 feet of improved or new waterways, 3,200 feet of streambank/ habitat enhancement, 4,500 feet of livestock exclusion fencing and 6 acres of wetlands.

1240-017 Little Bear Creek Watershed Final Report

Little Bear Creek is a 21.79 mile Class A1 and B (WW2) warm water stream that encompasses approximately 29,202 acres in northern Poweshiek County. The lower 8.4 mile segment is listed as biologically impaired on both the IDNR 2008 303(d) list and 2010 303(d) draft list. A RASCAL assessment and landowner survey was completed through a development grant in 2011, and these assessments indicate that erosion and sediment delivery from cropland, lack of adequate buffers along the stream channel, and streambank conditions contribute significant sediment delivery to the stream, likely resulting in the impairment. An estimated 36,544 tons of sediment are delivered to the stream annually. A total of 11,075 acres (38%) of the watershed are high priority areas or land with sediment delivery rates greater than one. Our goal over 15 years is to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) and increase public education in order to reduce sediment and phosphorus delivery by 25% and decrease priority areas by 15%. More specific objectives for this WIRB project are to 1) Reduce annual sediment delivery by roughly 16.3% or 1,058 tons and associated phosphorus delivery by 1,375 pounds and 2) Develop an information and education program aimed at producers and residents within the headwaters of Grant and Chester townships, which account for 18% of the watershed's priority areas. The SWCD proposes to utilize 50% EQIP funds and 25% WIRB funds toward rural BMPs, and 75% WIRB funds toward urban BMPs received through this application.

Iowa Federal Family Education Loan Program Division, Iowa College Student Aid Commission, June 30, 2002

State Agency Audit Report