McKenzie Snow, Director of Iowa Department of Education | Iowa Department Of Education
The Iowa Department of Education has awarded $500,000 in competitive grants to 15 school districts. The funding is part of the Credentials to Careers grant program, which aims to align secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials. With this latest round, the program has distributed over $3.5 million since it began in 2024.
“By expanding opportunities to attain an industry-recognized credential in high school, the Department's Credentials to Careers grant helps connect the classroom to the workplace,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Students earning portable, stackable credentials will be ready to succeed in in-demand, high-wage and public-good careers across our state. Through the leadership of these school districts and prior awardees, Iowa is ensuring all students are empowered with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, changing lives and strengthening communities.”
Each selected district will receive up to $50,000 during the 2025-26 school year. The funds are intended for efforts that align CTE programs with credentials valued by employers and endorsed by national trade associations or organizations. These credentials can verify skills and educational attainment across various fields such as health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary arts, and business.
To qualify for funding, districts submitted proposals outlining sustainable plans for integrating credential attainment into their existing CTE pathways. Award amounts were based on each district’s proposed expenditures directly related to credential attainment through secondary CTE programs.
Eligible expenses include student exam fees; instructional equipment; non-consumable supplies; computer hardware and software; internet connectivity costs; installation fees; instructor training related to new equipment or required for offering credentials; and curriculum enhancements.
Since its launch in 2024, the Credentials to Careers program has previously awarded grants to another 36 school districts supporting similar initiatives.
Funding comes from state set-aside Perkins reserve funds under the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act). Reserve funds are designed to support innovation in CTE programming aligned with regional workforce needs.
More details about the Credentials to Careers grant can be found on the Iowa Department of Education’s Industry-Recognized Credentials webpage.
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