Rep. Steckman: Iowa’s graduate rate continues to increase

From Rep. Sharon Steckman –

With thousands of seniors graduating across state, Iowa’s graduation rate still leads the nation and has even increased, according to information provided by the Department of Education.

State data shows 90.8% of students graduate within four years. Iowa has led the nation in recent years in high school graduation rates and last year became the first state with a graduation rate above 90%. The U.S. Department of Education data for the Class of 2016 is not yet available, so it remains to be seen if Iowa will stay at number one in this category, but the increase is promising.

Iowa’s statewide graduation rate has increased 2.5% over a five-year period, from 88.3% for the Class of 2011 to the current 90.8% of the Class of 2015.

Preserving Iowa’s Heritage

Historic buildings in eight Iowa communities will be restored and renovated with the help of $32 million in tax credits from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

The preservation of historic resources increases a community’s quality of life, making it more attractive to business and individuals looking to relocate. Recognizing the importance of the historic preservation, the Legislature reorganized the Historic Tax Credit program to ensure that the program was running smoothly and meeting the needs of communities across the state. The State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides an income tax credit of up to 25 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs for the preservation of historic buildings that are on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Projects in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, Sioux City, and Waterloo will be receiving assistance from the state to help restore historic properties. For more information regarding the projects and State Historic Tax Credits, visit https://www.iowaculture.gov/history/preservation.