Licensure Pathways Enhancement: Curriculum Development Grant
Licensure Pathways Enhancement: Curriculum Development Grant supports Iowa educator preparation programs in developing special education courses for teacher apprenticeships and pathways to licensure.
Funder: Iowa Department of Education
Due Dates: October 28, 2026 (application) | June 30, 2027 (course development and reimbursement)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per existing course or $15,000 per new course; $300,000 available
Summary: Supports Iowa educator preparation programs in developing special education coursework for registered teacher apprenticeship pathways.
Key Information: Applicants must be Iowa higher education educator preparation programs with, or intending to develop, a special education licensure apprenticeship pathway.
Description
The Iowa Department of Education offers this grant through Iowa GROWS, an initiative addressing the state’s special education teacher shortage. It supports institutions of higher education in strengthening registered teacher apprenticeship pathways by revising or developing three-credit special education courses required for licensure. The work connects licensure coursework with related instruction and on-the-job training in the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship model.
Iowa GROWS aims to prepare 100 special education apprentices and develop 60 state-owned, evidence-based professional development courses for educators serving students with disabilities. This grant funds curriculum work during the initiative’s first year.
