HF 2783 allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support various education agencies, including the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The bill provides specific amounts for salaries, operational expenses, and the hiring of full-time equivalent positions across areas such as general administration, career and technical education, and early childhood services. It also establishes new programs, including a statewide clearinghouse to expand work-based learning and summer college classes for high school students, while funding existing initiatives like birth-to-age-three services and statewide student assessments. This legislation directly affects school districts, educational institutions, and the agencies responsible for administering these programs throughout Iowa.
HF 2670 requires Iowa public schools to administer annual assessments in math and English language arts for students in grades 3-11 during the last school quarter. It also mandates science assessments for grades 5, 8, and 10, and social studies assessments for grades 8 and 10. The bill specifies that assessments must align with Iowa’s academic standards, meet federal requirements, and be available in both paper and digital formats. These changes directly affect Iowa’s K-12 students and school districts implementing testing programs.
HF 2724 requires Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners to create new teaching endorsements for high-need subjects (fine arts, math, and science) in pre-K through 12th grade schools. It mandates that applicants for these endorsements hold a bachelor's degree, with the requirement set to expire July 1, 2030. The bill also directs the board to establish a new "instructional strategist II" endorsement (not requiring a master's degree) and an "activities administration" authorization (requiring at least a bachelor's degree). These changes directly affect educators seeking specific teaching credentials in Iowa's schools.
HF 2230 modifies Iowa teacher education and licensing rules to better prepare educators for diverse classrooms. Starting July 1, 2027, all teacher preparation programs must include at least 15 practice hours focused on supporting students with disabilities and English learners. Programs seeking English learner endorsements require 40 hours of specific training in teaching English to English learners. The bill also mandates a final assessment before graduation to measure teaching readiness, with the state department publishing program pass rates and support efforts starting in 2028. This directly affects teacher preparation programs, their students (future teachers), and the Board of Educational Examiners.
SF 2231 expands access to preschool and college programs in Iowa. It allows community-based childcare centers and preschool providers to participate in school district programs under specific agreements, ensuring eligible four-year-olds can access services regardless of their program type. The bill also creates pathways for high school students (grades 9-12) to enroll in nonsectarian college courses at community colleges for credit, requiring school districts to notify students and parents about these options. Additionally, it mandates that public school districts make textbooks available to accredited nonpublic school students upon request, using state funds if appropriated. These provisions directly affect preschool providers, public/private school districts, high school students, and nonpublic school students.
This bill establishes new formulas for calculating state funding increases for schools starting in 2026, directly affecting all public school districts. It modifies how property tax replacement payments are handled, changes transportation equity aid funding rules, and sets new methods for adjusting school district budgets based on enrollment changes. The bill also creates a salary supplement for education support personnel and includes funding appropriations to implement these changes. All provisions take effect for the 2026 budget year.
SF 2404 requires Iowa's Department of Education to create a pilot program where one rural school district (defined by specific population criteria) and one urban school district (with at least 7,000 students) must establish specialized attendance centers. These centers will provide educational and special education services to eligible students, including those needing special education or facing behavioral challenges that interfere with regular classroom success. The bill mandates annual reporting on participation, academic outcomes, and stakeholder feedback from participating districts, and requires at least 48% of special education funds to support the pilot. The program is set to expire on July 1, 2031.
SF 647 is a budget bill that allocates state funding to the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. It provides financial resources for their day-to-day operations and program delivery. The bill includes specific conditions that determine when certain funding becomes effective. This legislation directly affects these state agencies and the educational services they provide to residents.
HF 437 establishes a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. The bill creates a formal unit within the university dedicated to supporting academic freedom, free expression, and open inquiry on campus. It directly affects the University of Iowa by requiring the institution to develop and maintain this center as part of its operations. The law was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, making it effective immediately.
SF 175 requires public school districts, charter schools, and other accredited schools to add specific content about pregnancy and fetal development to health and human growth classes for students in grades 5 through 12. This policy change directly affects all schools in the state and their students in those grade levels by mandating the inclusion of this topic in existing health education. The bill does not alter funding or create new programs but updates curriculum standards to include this subject matter. It was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025.
