Deb Davis for Academic Excellence in Iowa Schools

10/14/2026

Federal special education dollars were available—but six districts failed to fully claim them.

The School Budget Review Committee took steps to ensure those administrative mistakes do not automatically become an additional burden on local property taxpayers.

09/17/2026

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Happy Constitution Day!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Today is a great opportunity to celebrate and teach the next generation about the U.S. Constitution, citizenship, and the principles that form the foundation of our government.

While schools across Iowa and throughout the country are distributing FREE pocket Constitutions to students today, the Johnston Community School District was recently offered enough free pocket Constitutions for every 8th-grade student in the district. The JOHNSTON SCHOOL BOARD TABLED THE ITEM at their School Board meeting Monday night until the next meeting, so that they could have more time to decide if they wanted to accept these FREE donations of pocket Constitutions for each 8th grader.

In a time when public schools are clamoring for more funding, the JOHNSTON SCHOOL BOARD HAS TABLED AN OFFER for FREE pocket Constitutions for each 8th grader in their district. Unfortunately, that next meeting will come after Constitution Day, meaning JOHNSTON’S 8th GRADE STUDENTS WILL MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE these FREE pocket CONSTITUTIONS TODAY.

The following school districts will be distributing these FREE pocket Constitutions to their 8th grade students today!

Ankeny
Bondurant
South East Polk
West Des Moines
Saydel
Joshua Christian Academy
Ankeny Christian
Grandview Christian
Norwalk
Indianola
I35
Carroll

The purpose of the US Constitution is to establish a strong, yet limited, national government, define the framework of leadership, and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens.

Regardless of our political differences, I believe teaching students about the Constitution and their rights and responsibilities as citizens is something we can all support.

And there is something meaningful about putting a physical copy of the Constitution into a student's hands. In an increasingly digital world, a small pocket Constitution is something students can keep, read, reference, and return to throughout their lives.

These were offered as free donations—an opportunity to put an important piece of American history and civics directly into the hands of our students. Our students deserve every opportunity to learn about the document that establishes the government under which they live. 🇺🇸

If you would like more information on how to get FREE pocket Constitutions for your school district for next year, comment below and I will get you that information.

Link to the pocket Constitutions in comments below.

08/30/2026

TONIGHT!!! Find a school near you and join in prayer over students, teachers, families and schools as we start this new school year! See link in comments below to find your school.

06/26/2026

What is the Success Sequence? It’s simple:

1. Graduate from high school
2. Get a job
3. And get married before having children

These steps build a foundation for strong family life. It is an achievement young students can grasp early, which continues to pay off for generations to follow. Statistically, children who grow up in married homes are less likely to have behavioral issues, use drugs, or participate in violent and criminal behavior. Unfortunately, boys raised without married fathers are more likely to end up in prison than graduate from college. Additionally, girls from single-parent homes are more than twice as likely to have a child outside of wedlock.

Implementing the Success Sequence curriculum aims to reverse familial trends by equipping students with practical, proven steps towards economic success.

See link to full article in the comments below.

05/17/2026

This is a great idea for a public school to run with - creating a classical school track within their public school. Give parents choice within the public school system. If any public school is brave enough to take on the challenge, I believe they would reap the benefits and have a waiting line of families trying to open-enroll to their district!

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

WE NEED A CONVERSATION REVIVAL.

A lot of SEL is deeply self-focused. How do I feel? What is my identity? What trauma have I experienced? How was I harmed? Where do I fit socially? How am I perceived? Even when the goals are positive, the attention is constantly directed inward.

But Holleman’s framework feels different, it is more outward facing. She writes, “great conversations involve these essential elements: interest, liking, caring, and sharing.

- Be curious about other people.
- Believe the best about them.
- Express concern and care.
- Share honestly and listen well.

Link to full article in comments below.

05/06/2026

How can libraries remain trusted civic institutions in a polarized world? That organization is the Association of Library Professionals (ALP)…. For generations, libraries have functioned as a bedrock of civic life: spaces where anyone, regardless of their background or belief, could access information freely, without being steered toward a particular conclusion or political or social agenda. Yet this principled commitment to open inquiry is increasingly under pressure…. ALP offers a clear and consistent vision: libraries exist to serve the reader, not to shape what the reader thinks or believes…. By focusing on how we think rather than what we think, ALP is helping to preserve libraries as sanctuaries for free thought.

Link to full article in comments below.

04/09/2026

Unbelievable!!! Movie theaters are “BANNING” movies!!! 😉

04/07/2026

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals today vacated the preliminary injunction entered against Senate File 496. The court’s decisions reinstate Iowa’s ability to enforce the law.

The 2023 law prohibits sexually explicit books and materials in school libraries. It also requires schools to prioritize age-appropriate instruction and prohibits instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through 6th grade. Finally, the law ensures that parents are informed and involved in significant decisions regarding their child’s wellbeing at school.

The law has been blocked since March of 2025 due to litigation.

Full article in comments below.