We learned recently that Iowa has the top high school graduation rate in the country, 90.5 percent for the 2013-14 school year. That puts Iowa well above the national high school graduation rate of 82.3 percent.
In addition, Iowa high school students who took the ACT college entrance exam this spring performed better than students in most other states. A total of 22,675 graduates took the ACT, which is about two-thirds of the 2015 graduating class.
Iowa’s average ACT score was 22.2, surpassing the national average of 21. Iowa’s average math scores held steady, while science scores have risen. That’s good news, as we encourage young people to prepare for in-demand STEM careers.
For those who don’t complete high school, Iowa has Adult Education & Literacy programs to help them acquire the skills they need to succeed, including:
- Basic skills in reading, writing and math
- High School Equivalency Diploma preparation
- College readiness skills
- Job readiness skills
- Computer skills
Your Future Starts Here can set the gears in motion, connecting students to the local programs and resources they need to achieve their educational, training and career goals. Learn more at www.yourfuturestartshereiowa.org or call 800-316-6850.
These successes come despite several lean years for education funding. Our educators have been asked to do more with less year after year.
In 2016, let’s give our students and schools the strong investment they deserve and ensure we continue Iowa’s winning approach to preparing Iowans for college and career.