Superintendent Final Report

We are pleased to share with you Superintendent Kaftan's Final Report. This report highlights alignment with the Iowa Department of Education’s priorities: strengthening the teacher pipeline, early literacy, narrowing achievement gaps and supporting multiple postsecondary pathways. Over two months, the superintendent held nearly 200 one-on-one meetings with staff, families, and students, along with classroom visits to observe instruction. Feedback gathered emphasized the impact of enrichment programs like STEM events and 4PLUS career prep, and informed planning for reaccreditation with CEASD and Cognia. If you have questions regarding the content, please contact Superintendent Kaftan at chris.kaftan@iaedb.org.

Building an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

Ensuring all students experience a world-class education.

Iowa Department of Education Key Priorities

The Iowa Department of Education has identified key priorities aligning with our ISD and IESBVI mission. These priorities include:

Teacher Pipeline

Supporting a strong teacher pipeline through recruitment, development, and retention.

Early Literacy

Strengthening early literacy and numeracy through evidence-based reading and math instruction, particularly for elementary students as they build foundational skills.

Narrowing Gaps

Narrowing and closing achievement gaps through accountability and support, ensuring that middle and high school students receive targeted interventions when needed.

Multiple Pathways

Empowering students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success, including Bobcat Academy and 4PLUS students who require transition planning and career readiness support.

Over a period of two months, I engaged in 189 meetings with employees at ISD and IESBVI. I met with families of students who attend our programs and students across all levels–elementary, middle school, high school and 4PLUS–who receive services from ISD and IESBVI. These discussions were instrumental in gathering perspectives on the effectiveness of the programs offered to students in the State of Iowa. The meetings provided valuable insights into the employees' views on service delivery and program effectiveness.

In addition to the meetings, I visited classrooms to observe firsthand the instructional approaches employed by teachers working with deaf and blind students across all grade levels.

Through individual discussions with ISD and IESBVI staff, I gained valuable insights into the dedicated efforts made by staff to provide quality instruction and promote student growth. The importance of expanded learning programs such as:

• after-school enrichment,
• athletics,
• academic competitions, and
• STEM events,

was highlighted as a key feature of the services provided within ISD and IESBVI programming. These programs serve students at every level, from elementary enrichment activities to high school academic competitions and career-focused initiatives for 4PLUS students. These observations and conversations also helped identify potential areas for development within both programs.

The meetings highlighted how each community at ISD and IESBVI fosters a supportive environment, ensuring that all members possess the necessary qualities and skills to raise academic expectations and rigor in their learning settings. Specific needs emerged for each group–early literacy for elementary students, personal development for middle schoolers, college and career readiness for high school students, and transition planning for 4PLUS students. The insights gathered from these interactions have played a significant role in shaping the pre-planning process for the Council on Education of the Deaf (CEASD) re-accreditation, which began in January 2025. The CEASD re-accreditation is anticipated in early 2026, while the Cognia re-accreditation is scheduled for the 2027-2028 academic year.

The recommendations from this comprehensive data collection, including meetings and observations, aim to enhance the student learning outcomes, the educational experience and operational efficiency at ISD and IESBVI while aligning with the Iowa Department of Education's priorities.

I have observed several commendable aspects of school operations through meetings and data collection:

Integration Efforts

There has been notable progress in engagement initiatives, particularly for English Language Learners (ELL) families, ensuring that all students feel welcome and supported. For example, participation rates in family engagement events have increased by 17% over the past several years, and feedback indicates a high satisfaction rate among families regarding school communication and support services.

Effective Consultant Support

The support provided by consultants at the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI) has been effective, contributing positively to the educational environment. Observational data shows that students receiving IESBVI services demonstrated improved accessibility to learning materials, and 95% of teachers surveyed reported increased confidence in implementing instructional strategies due to consultant support.

Success of the Expanded Learning Program (ELP)

The ELP has shown significant success, demonstrating its impact on student engagement and learning at all grade levels. Attendance in ELP activities has grown by 12%, reflecting strong student interest and sustained participation.

Positive Staff Collaboration

There is a strong culture of collaboration among staff within each program, fostering a supportive and productive work environment. Recent internal conversations reveal more than 90% of staff feel supported by colleagues, and cross-department planning meetings have led to the successful implementation of new instructional strategies benefiting student outcomes.

Through ongoing discussions and review of collected data, I have identified several areas for growth that align with state priorities:

Instruction Standards and Academic Rigor

Improving instruction standards and maintaining academic rigor will enhance the overall quality of education, particularly in early literacy for elementary students and career readiness for high school and 4PLUS students.

Increasing IESBVI Presence

A stronger presence of IESBVI at the local school district level can help bridge resources and support for students, aligning with the goal of narrowing achievement gaps.

Expanding Student Enrollment

Efforts should be made to increase student enrollment at ISD, providing more opportunities for learners across all grade levels and supporting multiple pathways to success.

Enhancing Communication

There is a need to improve communication across departments to ensure that all stakeholders, including families of elementary, middle school, high school, and 4PLUS students, are informed and engaged.

By aligning with the Iowa Department of Education's key priorities, ISD and IESBVI will continue to provide high-quality education and services to students at all levels, ensuring they are well-equipped for their future endeavors. Based on insights gained from meetings and data analysis, I have outlined the following top priorities:

1. Instruction and Student Learning

Ensuring high-quality instruction and student learning remains a top priority. This includes:

• Strengthening curriculum alignment across all grade levels to promote consistency and rigor.
• Expanding intervention and enrichment programs to meet the diverse needs of all students, including English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and gifted learners.
• Providing targeted professional development for educators to support innovative and research-based instructional strategies.
• Utilizing data-driven decision-making to monitor student progress, close achievement gaps, and enhance overall academic outcomes.

2. Strengthening Community Connections

Strong relationships and engagement with families, businesses and community organizations are essential to creating a supportive learning environment. Key efforts include:

• Expanding partnerships with local organizations to provide students with mentorships, internships, and work-based learning opportunities.
• Increasing parental involvement through workshops, advisory councils, and outreach initiatives designed to empower families as active participants in their child's education.
• Hosting community forums and school events to strengthen transparency, trust, and collaboration between schools and stakeholders.
• Leveraging community resources to support student well-being, including mental health services, extracurricular activities, and career readiness programs.

3. Improving Communication

Clear, consistent, and transparent communication is essential for fostering trust and collaboration among all stakeholders. Efforts will focus on:

• Enhancing internal communications to ensure that staff and educators are well-informed, aligned, and equipped with the necessary tools to support student success.
• Implementing regular feedback mechanisms such as surveys, town halls, and focus groups to ensure that all voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.
• Strengthening external communication by making information more accessible to parents, families, and the community through multiple platforms, including newsletters, social media, and interactive websites.
• Promoting a culture of open dialogue where staff, students, and community members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.