The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has recognized Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds with a 2022 Champion for Charter Schools Award, the organization announced Tuesday. In 2021, Reynolds signed two bills into law that allow charter schools to be founded by a district school board’s founding group or an independent founding group. It also permits founding groups to go directly to the Iowa Department of Education for approval to found a public charter school, eliminating the requirement that the founding group first receive approval from local school boards. Reynold’s said during her 2021 State of the Union address, “If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us about education, it’s that our parents need choice.” The Department of Education’s website has more information on Iowa's guidelines for starting a public charter school. The complete list of award recipients is available at this link.