NEW REPORT: Iowa Education Rankings Fall to Lowest Level in Decades

DES MOINES, IA – A new report today from the Des Moines Register revealed that Iowa’s education system has fallen to 27th nationally, placing the state in the bottom half of U.S. rankings for the first time since 1990. The report highlights declines in key measures including literacy proficiency, preschool participation, and on-time graduation rates.

Education advocates say the drop reflects years of underfunding public schools, as state funding has repeatedly failed to keep pace with inflation while schools face rising costs and growing challenges meeting student needs. Additionally, the unaccountable private school voucher program has stripped hundreds of millions of dollars from public schools in service to private schools with zero oversight. A previous report from the Register found that nearly all of Iowa’s private schools are now funded by tax dollars. Experts say the funding gap “will create consequences that will ripple for generations.”

“Iowa made a promise on our quarter: ‘Foundation in Education.’ But after a decade of one-party rule, our education rankings have fallen to the lowest they’ve ever been while government insiders funnel $350 million in taxpayer dollars to an unaccountable voucher program and shortchange our public schools. That’s not an accident — it’s a choice,” said nominee for governor Rob Sand. “As governor, I’ll bring real accountability to the voucher program, fund our public schools, and invest in the basics that set kids up for success — like universal pre-K and making sure no child has to learn on an empty stomach. For the sake of our kids and Iowa’s future generations, we can’t keep going down this path.”

Earlier this year, Rob released his “Accountability for All” plan, which calls for greater oversight and transparency in the private school voucher program, including required audits, limits on tuition increases, and income eligibility standards, among other reforms. As a proud product of Iowa public schools and the father of two young boys in public school, Rob understands how personal education is for families across the state. As governor, he will work to restore Iowa’s public schools to their rightful place as the state’s crown jewel.