08/07/2026
We are excited to share that Audubon Community Schools has been selected as one of the Iowa school districts to receive a highly competitive grant through the University of Northern Iowa Institute for Educational Leadership, funded by the Kern Family Foundation.
As part of this grant, our district leadership team will work throughout the 2026-2027 school year with nationally recognized standards-based grading expert Dr. Matt Townsley. Through monthly coaching, on-site workshops, and ongoing support, our team will strengthen our knowledge and build our capacity as we continue implementing standards-based grading across our district.
This opportunity is especially meaningful because priority was given to rural Iowa schools that demonstrated a strong commitment to improving grading and reporting practices. We are honored to have been selected.
At Audubon Community Schools, we believe grades should clearly communicate what students know and can do. This partnership will help us continue refining our practices so that students receive meaningful feedback, families have a clearer understanding of learning, and teachers are supported through this important work.
We are grateful to the UNI Institute for Educational Leadership, the Kern Family Foundation, and Dr. Matt Townsley for investing in rural schools and helping us grow.
We look forward to sharing updates and answering questions throughout the year as we continue working to provide the very best learning experience for every Wheeler student!
