Iowa Department of Education awards nearly $600,000 to 24 districts to support student attainment of industry-recognized credentials

The Credentials to Careers grant focuses on aligning secondary career and technical education programs with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials by supporting student equipment and exam fees, as well as instructor training

The Iowa Department of Education today awarded nearly $600,000 in competitive grants to 24 Iowa school districts through its Credentials to Careers grant. The grants support school districts in creating or expanding secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs aligned to student attainment of state-approved, industry-recognized credentials with labor market value.

"Since the Credentials to Careers grant program was created by the Department just three years ago, we've directed over $4 million in federal funds for state activities to support learners across 75 school districts as they earn portable, stackable industry-recognized credentials while in high school," said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. "Through the leadership of these school communities and prior awardees, Iowa is preparing students to succeed in high-skill, high-demand jobs here in Iowa, changing lives and strengthening local economies."

The following 24 school districts have been awarded up to $50,000 for the 2026-27 academic year through this third round of grant funding:

• Ankeny Community School District
• Central Decatur Community School District
• Clarke Community School District
• Creston Community School District
• Diagonal Community School District
• English Valleys Community School District
• Harlan Community School District
• Iowa City Community School District
• Iowa Valley Community School District
• Le Mars Community School District
• Lenox Community School District
• Lisbon Community School District
• Linn-Mar Community School District
• Logan-Magnolia Community School District
• Madrid Community School District
• Moravia Community School District
• Red Oak Community School District
• Sibley-Ocheyedan Community School
• Sidney Community School District
• South Central Calhoun Community School District
• South O'Brien Community School District
• South Tama County Community School District
• Urbandale Community School District
• Waterloo Community School District

Industry-recognized credentials are certifications, credentials or licenses vetted by employers and endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization in a particular industry. They help verify that students have acquired knowledge and skills valued by employers, improving their professional credibility and helping employers assess applicant preparedness. Industry-recognized credentials are available across many career pathways, including health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary, business and more.

In determining awards, competitive district applicants demonstrated clear plans to align one or more new or existing CTE pathways with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials aligned to high-skill, high-wage and high-demand occupations. Districts must demonstrate how credential attainment will be sustainably integrated into existing CTE pathways to ensure long-term impact beyond the initial grant period. Priority consideration was given to school districts that have not previously received a Credentials to Careers grant.

Award amounts of up to $50,000 were determined by the expenditures outlined in each applicant's budget proposal, all of which must be directly related to the attainment of a high-quality industry-recognized credential, ensuring a stronger connection between state investments, student preparation and Iowa's workforce needs. Allowable costs could include student exam fees, instructional equipment, non-consumable instructional supplies, computer equipment and software, wired and wireless internet connections, installation costs, instructor training related to new equipment purchases, instructor training expenses required to offer the credential and curriculum enhancements.

Funds for the Credentials to Careers grant are provided through state activities set-aside of federal Perkins reserve funds under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. The goal of reserve funds is to support innovation and alignment of CTE programs with regional workforce needs.

For more information about the Credentials to Careers grant and how it is helping shape Iowa's future workforce, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.