Purpose
Iowa GROWS is a five-year initiative designed to strengthen Iowa’s special education workforce and improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities. The project will expand alternative pathways to special education licensure for substitute teachers, general education teachers, principals, and career changers while enhancing the skills of educators through a statewide repository of evidence-based professional learning. Expected outcomes include an increased number of qualified special education professionals, improved educator knowledge and instructional practices, strengthened community engagement, and sustainable systems that increase educator retention and improve educational results for students with disabilities.
Iowa GROWS will be implemented through partnerships with institutions of higher education, workforce organizations, state agencies, and ASK Resource Center to expand licensure pathways and deliver evidence-based professional learning. A dedicated project team will oversee grant implementation, technical assistance, and statewide coordination, while subrecipients develop coursework and family engagement resources. A comprehensive evaluation system will collect and analyze implementation and outcome data, monitor progress toward goals, inform continuous improvement, and provide regular reporting to stakeholders and the U.S. Department of Education to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
Explore Cohort Projects
2026 Colorado
This project aims to build a sustainable, high-quality educator workforce in Colorado, focusing on rural and high-need areas by expanding pathways, providing targeted professional development, and strengthening regional systems.
2026 Mississippi
The MS SPDG will strengthen educator preparation and support systems statewide by improving behavioral practices in both pre-service and in-service settings.
2026 California
The CA Department of Education, Special Education Division (CDE-SED), in partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU) College of Education, SDSU Interwork Institute (SDSU-II), and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), proposes ApprenticED CA, a Registered Educator Apprenticeship