Iowa’s 2025 Report Card: Public Schools Under Attack

Iowa’s public schools have plummeted after a decade of decline

DES MOINES, IA – Iowa public schools were once our state’s crown jewel — so much so that we proudly stamped “Foundation in Education” on our state’s quarter. But today, Iowa’s education system is on the decline. In less than a decade, Iowa has fallen from 5th in the nation for education in 2018 to 20th in 2025, a drop of 15 spots. From Pre-K to higher education, our kids and teachers are feeling the impact.

The lack of accountability in Iowa’s current statewide school voucher program — also known as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) — is one of the biggest issues our schools, students, and teachers face. Rural school districts — which often serve as the lifeblood of their community — are most impacted by the voucher program, being forced to subsidize private school tuition for Iowa’s wealthiest families. The system currently undermines the very future of public education in Iowa, especially for our rural districts, and our public schools are already paying the price. 

These failing grades are not sustainable for Iowa’s future, and Iowans are ready for change. Take a look at Iowa’s “2025 Report Card” — and see why our students can’t afford more of the same next year:

IOWA’S 2025 REPORT CARD:

EDUCATION: F

• Funding shortfalls: In 2022, KCCI reported that Iowa had begun to fall behind on how much the state spent to educate each student

  • In the 1970s and 1980s, Iowa spent more than the national average, but by 1990 the state was spending $453 less per student than the national average. By 2018–2019, that gap had widened to $1,254 per student.

  • Now, Iowa  is constitutionally underfunding our public schools by 13% when accounting for inflation.

• Declining scores: NAEP scores show Iowa is one of only two states (along with Alaska) that got worse from 2022 and to 2024 in all of 4th grade math and 8th grade math.

  • Iowa also ranks 8th worst in 4th grade math, 13th worst in 4th grade reading, and 11th worst in 8th grade math.

• Challenges for teachers: A recent report from WalletHub ranked Iowa to be one of the worst states to teach in, ranked 43rd in the nation. The report considered several factors, including teacher pay, state spending per student, the quality of the school system, and turnover rates.

  • Just this fall, a new report revealed that Iowa schools are starting the year with more than 500 unfilled teaching positions. This means larger class sizes, fewer opportunities, and leaves kids without the full support they deserve.