Information recently released by the Iowa Department of Education reported increases in the quality of Iowa preschools and the number of minority students, according to a press release.

According to the department’s website, 87.3 percent of Iowa schools now offer preschool.

The ACT composite score, which Iowa is praised for, is at an average of 22.4.

"Education must look forward," said Kevin Fangman, director of the department. "We do so in good times and bad. Iowa, like the entire nation, has faced historic economic challenges in recent years."

According to the release, Iowa is also attracting more teachers, who earn an average salary of $48,638.

— by David Drew