Cedar Rapids Community School District is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of the twenty Iowa school districts to receive a Credentials to Career Grant from the Iowa Department of Education. The Credentials to Career Grant was developed to help school districts create or enhance their career and technical education programs so that high schoolers can earn industry-recognized credentials/certifications before they graduate. This grant aligns well with the CRCSD’s new Strategic Plan goals of elevating the plans, pathways, and passions of students and graduating college and career-ready students.

The District will receive $281,776 through the grant for the 2024-2025 school year. The district plans to use the funds to purchase equipment for high school industrial technology programs. The equipment will enable students to earn industry certifications in precision measurement instruments, hand tool identification and safety, and electricity introduction, all of which are “stackable credentials” that help to increase employability in various industries. The district will procure the equipment through Snap-On tools, an approved industry-recognized provider. CRCSD staff and students will receive training and certification on the new equipment at no cost through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3).