Iowa public schools report an overall jump in enrollment for the 2012-13 school year.
Officials say the rise of 0.6 percent was the first significant increase since 1996. Overall enrollment had dropped in the five previous school years.
The Department of Education says the increase is due in part to an upsurge in birth rates from 2003 to 2008. The department's Jay Pennington says the increase "is refreshing news for Iowa after years of declining enrollment. However, the reality is that this increase most likely is temporary."
Pennington says the long-term trend shows declining enrollment in rural parts of Iowa.
