Starmont Awarded Grant from Iowa Department of Education

The Iowa Department of Education announced Friday that Starmont has received a grant. 

Starmont is one of fifteen school districts across the state that will each be awarded up to $50,000 in competitive grants. The grant funding will help the districts align career and technical education (CTE) programs with the attainment of one or more industry-recognized credentials. 

Industry-recognized credentials are certifications, credentials or licenses vetted by employers and endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization in a particular industry. Industry-recognized credentials are available across many career pathways, including health sciences, information technology, construction, manufacturing, child development, culinary and business.

Allowable costs could include student exam fees, instructional equipment, non-consumable instructional supplies, computer equipment and software, wired and wireless internet connections, installation costs, instructor training related to new equipment purchases, instructor training expenses required to offer the credential and curriculum enhancements. 

With this most recent round of awards, the Credentials to Careers grant program has provided over $3.5 million since its inception in 2024 to support high school students earning credentials with labor market value.

photo courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH