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Dear CTE Professionals,
Spring is in full swing, and there’s a lot happening in the world of Career & Technical Education in Iowa! In this Iowa ACTE April Newsletter, you’ll find important updates on Perkins V State Plan, details on upcoming advocacy efforts, and information about the IACTE 2025 Conference on June 18 at Prairie Meadows.
We’re also excited to share opportunities for professional development, legislative engagement, and ways to get involved in shaping the future of CTE in Iowa. Be on the lookout for our Strategic Plan survey, which will help guide our organization’s priorities moving forward.
Please share this newsletter with fellow CTE educators, administrators, and stakeholders who would benefit from staying informed. Thank you for your continued dedication to CTE and student success!
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Kristen Bandy
Executive Director
Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education
www.acteonline.org/iowa
| | Please Join Us for the 2025 Iowa ACTE Conference! | | |
Iowa Association for Career and Technical Education
Transforming Opportunities in CTE
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - Prairie Meadows Conference Center
1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
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At Iowa ACTE, we are committed to delivering a top-notch conference experience tailored to your professional needs. We’ve listened to your feedback and crafted an event that promises growth, collaboration, and inspiration for all who attend.
Along with morning sessions we have an amazing afternoon of the conference planned for attendees to prepare your programs to meet Iowa’s State Determined Levels of Performance (SDLPS) for Perkins CTE Concentrators by connecting with experts in an afternoon workshop around one of three areas:
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Implementing Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) to equip your students for high-demand careers
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Developing work-based learning (WBL) opportunities like internships, apprenticeships, and project-based partnerships to transform the educational experience
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Enhancing your Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) to fostering student’s leadership and technical skills. Participants will walk away from these workshops with resources to truly transform future opportunities.
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Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting in the field, there’s something for everyone at this year’s conference. Together, we’ll explore how to “Transform Opportunities” in the field of CTE and ignite your passion for education.
NEW this year!
As part of this year’s IACTE conference, we are pleased to offer dedicated time and space for you to connect with your division members. This is a great opportunity to hold a meeting, host a Q&A session, discuss important updates, network and socialize or simply let your members share quality lessons learned throughout their year in a relaxed setting.
Our draft agenda allows this time for you in the afternoon from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and we would love to accommodate your division’s needs. If you are interested in reserving this time and space at no cost, please let Kristen Bandy or Marjorie Lane know by May 16 so the necessary arrangements can be made.
| | Exciting News: Iowa ACTE Board of Directors Launches New Legislative Initiative! | | |
Check out our Iowa ACTE Website: IACTE Website- Advocacy
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the new Iowa ACTE Legislative Initiative, designed to strengthen advocacy efforts for career and technical education (CTE) across Iowa. This initiative creates exciting opportunities for our members to engage with policymakers, stay informed on key legislation, and showcase the impact of Iowa CTE programs.
Here’s how Iowa ACTE is supporting CTE advocacy:
Legislation Sharing: If you or your division would like to share legislative topics with the Iowa ACTE Board of Directors, please reach out to the Iowa ACTE President. The President will collaborate with your division to add it to an upcoming board meeting agenda and ensure that all relevant information is shared with the Board of Directors. Once discussed, these updates will be shared with members through official division communication channels and posted to the Iowa ACTE website.
Advocacy Activities
CTE Day at the Capitol: Each February, Iowa ACTE organizes an annual advocacy day at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. This event allows secondary and postsecondary CTE programs to showcase their impact and engage directly with Iowa legislators and state officials. The Board of Directors works in partnership with the Department of Education and Iowa CTSO leaders to provide this opportunity.
National Policy Seminar: Iowa ACTE offers an incredible opportunity for Iowa CTSO student leaders to travel to Washington, D.C. for ACTE’s National Policy Seminar. Students are prepared to effectively share their CTE experiences and advocate for the importance of these programs in meetings with Iowa’s senators and representatives.
Stakeholder Convenings: Iowa ACTE’s Board of Directors is committed to collaborating with partner organizations and participating in stakeholder convenings to advocate for CTE.
Engaging with the Legislative Process
We encourage all Iowa ACTE members to stay engaged and informed on legislative issues that impact CTE. Here are some valuable resources to help you navigate the legislative process:
Contacting Your Legislators:
- Iowa Legislature: Find your state legislators’ contact information.
- US Congress: Access contact details for your federal legislators.
Monitoring Iowa Legislation: To monitor the status of legislation during the legislative session, there are two resources to monitor legislation impacting the education system (secondary and postsecondary):
- Iowa Department of Education Bill Tracker: Stay updated on education-related bills monitored by the Department of Education.
- Community Colleges for Iowa Bill Tracker: Track legislation impacting community colleges in Iowa.
Legislative Updates:
- Legislative Update Newsletter: Receive weekly updates from the Iowa Department of Education’s policy liaison.
- Legislative Action Alerts: Stay informed of enacted legislation requiring immediate action.
- Community Colleges for Iowa Alerts: Join grassroots campaigns and stay informed on advocacy opportunities.
Federal Legislation Monitoring:
- CTE Policy Watch: Follow ACTE’s regularly updated federal policy blog.
- ACTE Legislative Alerts: Sign up for updates on the latest federal CTE policy news.
Writing to Legislators:
- Community Colleges for Iowa offers best practices and guidelines for effective communication with legislators.
Additional Advocacy Resources:
- ACTE provides a wealth of tools and step-by-step guidance for building relationships with policymakers, hosting visits, and making your voice heard.
We believe that each of our involvements is crucial to advancing and strengthening CTE in Iowa. Let’s work together to make a lasting impact. Thank you for your continued dedication and support to high quality CTE programs across the state!
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Opening March 24th, the Iowa Department of Education is collecting public comment on the revised Iowa Perkins V State Plan. The public comment period will remain open for 30 days until April 24.
As Iowa ACTE members, now is the time to provide input on this important part of CTE funding in the state. A link to the entire plan can be found HERE.
Iowa ACTE has also developed a summary sheet detailing Iowa’s definition of “Size, Scope, and Sequence”, a breakdown of the state’s allocation, and the state determined levels of performance requirements that grant recipients must meet or exceed.
Iowa Perkins V Data
Iowa ACTE will also be scheduling a webinar to help answer questions and provide more information. Details of the webinar date and time will be forthcoming.
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IACTE has been collaborating with C&T Strategies to develop an updated Strategic Plan that will guide our organization's future direction. After multiple meetings and in-depth discussions, we are now ready to gather input from our membership and other key CTE stakeholders.
To ensure the plan reflects the most important priorities for CTE in Iowa, we will be distributing a survey soon. Your feedback will help us identify the top strategic themes to include.
Please keep an eye out for the survey—we greatly appreciate your participation in shaping the future of IACTE and CTE in Iowa!
| | Leadership Opportunity with Iowa ACTE! | | |
Are you passionate about CTE and looking to get more involved? IACTE will soon have openings on the board of directors for the treasurer and 2nd vice president (secondary) positions!
This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of CTE in Iowa, connect with fellow educators, and make an impact at the state level. Please give serious consideration for letting us know you are interested or talk to a co-worker about it -we’d love to have you on board!
Contact any IACTE Board member for more details: 2024-25 IACTE Board of Directors
| | ACTE’s National Policy Seminar Recap | | |
NPS was an invaluable opportunity to advocate for Iowa Career and Technical Education and gain critical insights into national trends and policies. IACTE once again provided sponsorship of $1,000 per student for three CTSO students to attend NPS this year.
Capitol Hill Visits
During our time in Washington, D.C., we engaged in productive discussions with legislators and policymakers, effectively articulating the needs and priorities of Iowa CTE. Our NPS sponsored students were well-prepared and professional in addressing key topics such as program funding, workforce development initiatives, and legislative support for CTE programing. These conversations reinforced the importance of continued advocacy efforts to ensure Iowa educators and students receive the resources they need to thrive.
Conference Sessions
The sessions at NPS were highly informative and directly relevant to our work in Iowa CTE. Topics included federal policy updates, workforce trends, and innovative strategies for CTE program improvement.
YES!!!
Iowa was called out as a national leader in apprenticeship opportunities and funding support for companies and communities across the tenure of three governors during the Wednesday morning special session over apprenticeships. This acknowledgment highlights the state’s commitment to workforce development and economic growth. Congratulations to IWBL for your dedication, expertise, and ongoing support in advancing these initiatives!
Encouraging Future Attendance
Given the immense value of this conference, I strongly encourage increased participation from Iowa CTE educators in future NPS events. Attending provides a unique opportunity to stay informed on national policies, network with leaders in the field, and actively advocate for the future of CTE in Iowa. Strengthening our presence at NPS will amplify our voice in national discussions and ensure our educators remain at the forefront of policy and practice.
| | CTE Day at the Capitol 2025 | | |
Save the Date: CTE Day 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
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On behalf of Iowa ACTE, we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended CTE Day at the Capitol 2025! It was truly an incredible day filled with valuable legislative connections, meaningful conversations, and impactful learning experiences.
One of the most exciting moments of the day was the House of Representatives adopting House Resolution No. 6, officially designating February as CTE Month! Attendees had the incredible opportunity to witness this historic signing from the gallery viewing area. In fact, our group’s strong presence filled most of both sides of the gallery—an inspiring testament to the impact and importance of CTE in Iowa! Congratulations to Carlton Ness and South Hamilton FFA for being recognized at the signing with such a large number of students in attendance!
Those who were able to join us made the most of the day, engaging in personal meetings, group discussions, and various interactions with legislators. Iowa CTE’s dedication and enthusiasm for CTE were evident, and your advocacy continues to make a difference for CTE programs across Iowa.
Comments from Ankeny Centennial - Michael Mertz
What influence can people have on state legislation? A lot!
Ankeny Centennial High School FBLA students had an incredible experience at CTE Day at the Iowa State Capitol! 📚
As members of Iowa FBLA, we connected with fellow CTSOs from across the state, including FCCLA, Iowa FFA Association, Business Professionals of America, Iowa DECA, and many more. We also engaged with Des Moines Area Community College Surgical Techs, the ProStart Program, and other career-focused groups, expanding our understanding of different career pathways.
Throughout the day, we:
✅ Observed a House committee session and a subcommittee meeting to see policymaking in action.
✅ Toured the Capitol (all the way to the top!) and gained insight into the historic building.
✅ Met with Ryan Welson and his clerk, Honor DeFord—a big thank you for the inside look!
✅ Spoke with lobbyists about key policies they are advocating for.
✅ Interacted with an Iowa State Patrol officer and learned about his responsibilities inside and outside the Capitol.
This was an unforgettable opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in government, policy, and leadership. A huge thank you to Kristen Bandy and Iowa ACTE for organizing such a meaningful experience!
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ACTE Website
Did you know that students enrolled in teacher prep programs at the high school level can join ACTE for free - ACTE Student Membership
Did you know that your entire school district can enroll in ACTE membership? The best part—membership is tied to the position, not the individual! This means if an educator leaves the district, their membership can seamlessly transfer to their replacement, ensuring continued access to ACTE benefits.- Organizational Membership information
Did you know ACTE offers an Achieve 100 Award? This award recognizes schools and institutions where 100% of CTE faculty are ACTE members, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development, advocacy, and the growth of CTE programs. By achieving this award, your school showcases its dedication to excellence and ensures that all CTE educators have access to the latest resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights.
Want to learn more about how your district can qualify? Visit ACTE’s website or reach out to Kelli Diemer at kdiemer@acteonline.org for guidance!
Did you know ACTE has a Digital Membership Packet - Digital Membership Packet
Did you know ACTE has Community of Practice Groups to support you - Learn more
ACTE community of practice groups are open to members with interconnected job functions and provide a collaborative environment where they can share insights, exchange ideas, and collectively address practice-specific challenges.
- CTE Administrators
- CTE Urban Education Alliance
- Early Service CTE Instructors
- Work-Based Learning
Each community of practice group will offer online spaces as well as in-person networking activities at ACTE events where members can engage in mentoring relationships and share information, resources and best practices around shared job functions.
| | ACTE Board of Directors Election Results | | |
We wanted to share this year's ACTE Board of Directors election results with you.
Link to the press release. Feel free to share the news!
Here are a summary of the results:
Brandon Russell - President-Elect
Jonathan Walker - Business Education Vice-President
Michael Herrera - Region I Vice President-Elect
Michael Ogas - Region IV Vice President-Elect
Let’s work together to make CTE stronger in Iowa!
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