This comprehensive education bill modifies various aspects of Iowa's public school system, with a primary focus on charter schools, funding, and student services. It establishes the state board of education and the University of Northern Iowa as the sole entities authorized to approve new charter schools, while also defining how these schools can be created within or outside existing public school districts. The legislation mandates that all schools provide specific information regarding immunization exemptions to parents and requires the development of state-wide resources to support mathematics proficiency and civics education. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for teacher licensure, education savings accounts, and funding allocations, aiming to standardize oversight and operational requirements across different types of educational institutions.
This bill modifies various aspects of Iowa's education system, with a primary focus on updating regulations for charter schools, including their approval processes, funding, and operational requirements. It designates the state board of education and the University of Northern Iowa as the sole entities authorized to approve charter schools, while also clarifying definitions for terms like "public school district" and "founding group." The legislation mandates that schools provide parents with specific information regarding immunization exemptions and requires the development of state-wide resources to support mathematics proficiency and civics education. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for teacher training, preschool programs, and funding allocations, aiming to streamline oversight and standardize educational services across different school types.
This bill directs the Governor of Iowa to opt into a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to receive tax breaks for donating money to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations are nonprofits that provide financial aid for elementary and secondary education expenses, such as tuition and tutoring, to students in both public and private schools. To maintain eligibility for this program starting in tax years after January 1, 2027, the state's departments of revenue and education must follow federal rules and submit required information to the U.S. Treasury.
This bill modifies Iowa's education savings account program by expanding eligibility for nonpublic school students based on household income levels over a three-year period. Starting in 2027, families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for the program, with eligibility tightening to 300% of the poverty threshold by 2028. The legislation also adjusts how school districts calculate funding costs for various teacher and professional development supplements by including ESA payments in enrollment counts. The education savings account program is scheduled to be completely repealed on July 1, 2029, with related funding calculations taking effect in 2030.
SF 2425 is an education bill modifying multiple areas, primarily affecting charter schools, nonpublic schools, and public school districts in Iowa. It increases funding for charter schools by adding teacher leadership, salary, and professional development supplements to their per-pupil state allocation. The bill also requires charter schools to participate in the state retirement system and establishes new rules allowing students at nonpublic schools or charter schools to join public school athletic programs under specific conditions. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026, and include provisions for charter school closures and federal funding access.
This bill modifies multiple aspects of Iowa's education system. It changes how charter schools receive funding by adding specific supplements to per-pupil allocations, requires charter school employees to join the state retirement system, and allows students in charter or nonpublic schools to participate in public school sports under defined conditions. The bill also designates charter schools as local education agencies for federal funding purposes and creates bond authority for charter and accredited nonpublic school facility projects. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.
This bill modifies Iowa's education savings account program eligibility. For the 2025 school year (starting July 1, 2025), it maintains current rules allowing nonpublic school students (K-12) to receive payments. Starting July 1, 2026, it adds an income requirement: households must earn 400% or less of the U.S. federal poverty income guidelines to qualify. The change directly affects families with children attending nonpublic schools who seek these state-funded education savings accounts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill lowers the statewide school district foundation property tax rate from $5.44 to $4.44 per $1,000 of assessed property value, effective July 1, 2026. It also repeals Iowa’s education savings account program, which allowed families to use public funds for private school tuition. The tax rate change directly affects all Iowa school districts and adjusts tax credit calculations for agricultural landowners under existing family farm tax credit programs. The bill’s provisions apply to school budgets beginning July 1, 2026, with phased increases for reorganized school districts.
This bill modifies Iowa's charter school laws by eliminating "innovation zone schools" (a separate category previously allowed) and focusing solely on traditional charter schools. It requires the state board of education to be the sole authorizer for new charter schools, sets a 75-day timeline for application decisions, and mandates specific new requirements for all charter schools. These include developing math proficiency plans by 2025, creating family resources for math support, adopting device-use policies, and distributing updated U.S. civics tests to students. The bill directly affects all existing and future charter schools in Iowa, removing the innovation zone option and adding operational standards.
This bill (SF 2175) makes broad changes to Iowa's education system, primarily affecting charter schools, nonpublic schools, and public school districts. It modifies charter school funding formulas to include additional state cost components, adds charter school employees to the state retirement system, and allows students in charter or nonpublic schools to participate in public school sports under specific conditions (e.g., no prior participation by their school and payment of fees). The bill also designates charter schools as local education agencies for federal funding access and authorizes the Iowa Finance Authority to issue bonds for charter and nonpublic school facilities. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.
