Enrollment at Iowa schools continues to decline

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Enrollment in Iowa's public schools has declined for the 14th consecutive year, dropping slightly from last year.

The Iowa Department of Education released enrollment numbers for the current school year, showing about 473,200 students are enrolled in the state's public schools, down about 200 from the 2010-11 school year.

Of the state's 351 school districts, 218, or 62 percent, saw enrollment decrease this year, with 129 districts seeing an increase. Only four districts reported no change.

The certified enrollment figures were taken by school districts the first week of October. The numbers are used in a formula by state officials to determine state funding for public schools.

Des Moines saw the largest increase in the number of students enrolled, followed by Iowa City, Waukee, Ankeny and Pleasant Valley.