Conference Tracks
Education
An exploration of trends, challenges and triumphs of education across the state, from early education to higher ed and continued learning.
What’s working and what’s next for learning at every stage in Iowa?
SESSION 1
Why are Iowans choosing homeschooling?
More families are choosing homeschooling. Those who choose independent private instruction separate from a public school district are not tracked by the Iowa Department of Education. Do we know how many children in Iowa homeschool? Why are they choosing homeschooling when other options are increasingly attainable, like nonpublic and charter schools? What options are opening up to homeschool families under new Iowa laws (depending on if House File 2078 passes and is signed into law)? What do public school advocates say the impact is on the traditional system?
October 01, 2026 at 9:00AM
SESSION 2
Mismatch in Degrees
How can college and university degrees align with the job market to set new grads up for success? How have degrees evolved in relation to the job market over the years? What resources are available to students to best prepare for applications and interviews?
October 01, 2025 at 10:00AM
SESSION 3
What is next for Iowa public schools?
With growing number of charter schools, reduced funding streams and declining enrollments, public education has been going through a transitional period creating many to wonder what the future of public education is in Iowa. Is the system currently in crisis and how can public education emerge stronger?
October 01, 2025 at 11:00AM
SESSION 4
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence by this point has cemented itself as a staple in the classroom – and we’ve addressed the issue from a high-level view. But what is it actually like to be a professor or student in the age of AI? How often do they use it? How hard is it to catch? What are the tools? What are the techniques? What are the policies and practices and how is it shaping American higher ed?
October 01, 2025 at 1:00PM
SESSION 5
Escalating behavior in school
More teachers and families are speaking out about escalating student behavior in schools, possibly one of the lasting impacts of the pandemic. Why are students misbehaving at a higher rate? What solutions are schools trying to curb behavior? What’s working and what’s not? Bills proposed by Iowa lawmakers earlier this year included creating different classrooms for students with behavior challenges and even allowing teachers to temporarily remove students from their classrooms. Are these solutions sound?
October 01, 2025 at 2:00PM
SESSION 6
What happens when the statehouse gets involved in higher education?
Across the country, state legislators and governors are increasingly immersing themselves in the daily decisions and operations at public universities. From tenure and classroom topics to high-profile decisions on DEI and women’s studies, politicians around the country are setting the agenda. What does it all mean for students and public colleges/universities?
October 01, 2025 at 3:00PM
