SF 2224 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to computer science education, including by modifying provisions related to standards for computer science education, the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and practitioner preparation programs, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2224 requires all Iowa public high schools (grades 9-12) to include artificial intelligence fundamentals in computer science courses, mandating instruction on what AI is, how it works, and its societal impacts. It updates graduation requirements to mandate a half-unit of computer science starting in 2022, allowing schools to fulfill part of this requirement through applied science, technology, engineering, or manufacturing courses. The bill also adds new standards for teacher preparation programs, requiring future educators to complete training in AI and computational thinking relevant to their grade level. These changes apply to all Iowa public schools and teacher training institutions, directly affecting students, educators, and curriculum developers. The law modifies existing education codes (sections 256.7, 256.11, and 256.16) to implement these requirements.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Feb 25, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprinted · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was reprinted and amended to expand its scope beyond just computer science curriculum requirements to include practitioner preparation programs and applicability provisions. The document was updated to reflect Senate passage and includes additional sections addressing how higher education institutions must prepare future teachers in computer science, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely modifying computer science curriculum requirements for K-12 students to also include requirements for practitioner preparation programs (teacher training) and applicability provisions for students admitted to these programs after July 1, 2028.
REQUIREMENT

Added new Section 3 requiring higher education institutions to include preparation in computer science, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking in their practitioner preparation programs for future teachers.

Modified Section 1 to reference section 256.7 subsection 26 paragraph a instead of section 256.11 subsection 5 paragraph l for establishing high-quality computer science education standards.

TIMELINE

Added Section 6 establishing applicability provisions for students admitted to approved practitioner preparation programs on or after July 1, 2028.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill formatting and header information to reflect Senate passage on February 24, 2026, and changed the bill title to more accurately reflect its expanded scope including practitioner preparation programs.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 24, 2026
D Democratic15
14 Yea 1
93% Yea
R Republican34
32 Yea 2
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Feb 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 47, nays 0.
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Introduced
Amendment S-5026 filed, adopted.
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report, approving bill.
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.