Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SF 2144: A bill for an act relating to school district general fund flexibility accounts by expanding eligible funding sources and modifying expenditure approval requirements.

SF 2144 allows Iowa school districts to transfer unspent teacher salary supplement funds (calculated under section 257.10(9)) into their general fund flexibility accounts after July 1, 2026, if all original funding requirements are met. This expands the list of eligible funding sources for flexibility accounts beyond current options. The bill removes the requirement for school boards to hold public hearings before approving expenditures from these accounts, though it retains board resolution approval and reporting requirements to the Department of Education. The policy directly affects Iowa public school districts managing their general fund flexibility accounts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school district flexibility in using unspent teacher funds for general operations, enhancing financial management without restricting education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HSB 544: A bill for an act creating an endowment tax on the endowment value of certain Iowa colleges and universities, limited charges relating to certain endowment funds, making appropriations to workforce grant and incentive programs, and making appropriations to supplement tuition grants for high-wage and high-demand jobs.

This bill imposes a 15% annual tax on the endowment value exceeding $250 million for Iowa public universities (governed by the state board of regents) and accredited private colleges. The tax revenue from public institutions funds Iowa’s workforce grant incentive program, while private colleges’ tax revenue supports a new "high-wage and high-demand jobs" account within the tuition grants fund. This account supplements tuition grants for students enrolled in private colleges studying in fields identified as high-wage and high-demand by the workforce development board. The bill also limits management fees on endowments to 1% of endowment value annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 15% tax on large college endowments to fund workforce grants and tuition supplements, directly allocating tax revenue to public programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates endowment tax revenue to supplement tuition grants for students in high-wage/high-demand fields, directly funding educational access and affordability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce grant programs and high-wage job training, directly supporting employment opportunities and workforce development in high-demand fields per bill's tax revenue allocation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SF 2033: A bill for an act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2033, the "Increasing Civic Proficiency in Higher Education Act," requires Iowa's regents universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI) to mandate that all undergraduate students complete introductory survey courses in American history and American government. Each course must be worth at least three semester credits and fulfill social sciences or humanities requirements, while avoiding exclusive focus on specific subgroups. The requirement applies to students beginning enrollment in academic years starting July 1, 2028, and institutions must grant credit for equivalent prior coursework. Excluded are students in designated three-year degree programs, and the bill also directs university centers to designate qualifying courses and submit annual reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates civic education courses at Iowa regents universities, enhancing curriculum requirements to increase civic proficiency per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 548: A bill for an act directing regents institutions to sign the federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education and including effective date provisions.

This bill directs Iowa's three regents universities - University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa - to sign the federal Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education by December 31, 2026. The institutions and their board of regents must take all necessary steps to complete this signature by the deadline. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and does not alter the terms of the federal compact itself.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates regents universities to sign federal Compact for Academic Excellence, aligning with higher education quality goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3042: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the Iowa statewide assessment of student progress and programs for gifted and talented children, and by requiring school districts to develop an advanced mathematics pathway and implement procedures for subject acceleration and whole-grade acceleration.

This bill requires Iowa school districts to implement several education changes. It mandates annual math and English language arts assessments for grades 3-11 and science for grades 5, 8, and 10-11, while establishing new procedures for identifying gifted students using multiple data sources (like test scores and teacher input) and ensuring equitable access across all student groups. Districts must create an "advanced mathematics pathway" to help students complete algebra I by grade nine and automatically enroll students scoring "advanced" in math/ELA assessments into higher-level courses. Additionally, districts must develop clear procedures for subject acceleration (moving ahead in one subject) and whole-grade acceleration (skipping a full grade), including support for learning gaps and parental notification options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual assessments, equitable gifted identification, and advanced math pathways to improve educational standards and access for all students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3048: A bill for an act relating to teacher education and licensing, including by modifying provisions related to practitioner preparation programs and licenses issued by the board of educational examiners.

This bill requires Iowa teacher training programs to add specific clinical experiences starting July 2027: all candidates must complete 15 hours focused on supporting students with disabilities and English learners, while those seeking English learner endorsements need 40 hours. It also mandates a new end-of-program assessment to measure teaching readiness in specific subject areas, with passing scores set by the state department. Programs must provide remediation for students who don't meet standards, and the department will publish pass rates and improvement efforts online starting 2028. These changes directly affect teacher training institutions and new teacher candidates seeking licensure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates enhanced clinical training for teachers in disability/ELL support and new readiness assessment to improve educator quality and student outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2062: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the protected speech and expression rights of students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools and the duties of the department of education, and providing civil penalties.

SF 2062 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to annually distribute federal guidance on religious expression rights to all staff, develop training programs about protected speech, and adopt model policies to comply with federal standards. It prohibits schools from discriminating against students for religious, political, or ideological speech in classrooms, clubs, homework, or attire, ensuring equal treatment to other student expression. Schools failing to comply face civil penalties of at least $5,000 per violation, with students or clubs able to sue for enforcement. The bill applies to all public K-12 schools in Iowa and mandates annual policy certifications to the state education department.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to protect student speech rights, prohibits discrimination in expression, aligns with strengthening educational freedom and access per bill's mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2250: A bill for an act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program.

HF 2250 would allow Iowa residents with intellectual disabilities enrolled in approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs to receive state tuition grants. These programs, designed to prepare students for employment through academic and life skills training, must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education and offered by accredited private institutions, community colleges, or state universities. Eligible students could receive grants covering up to two semesters of tuition and fees per year for a maximum of eight semesters total. Payments would be made at the start of each semester by the educational institution, with refunds required if a student withdraws after receiving funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for students with intellectual disabilities via state tuition grants, directly funding program participation in approved postsecondary programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2078: A bill for an act relating to resident dependents not enrolled in a public school or receiving an educational savings account payment by creating an opportunity tax credit available against the individual income tax, creating a fund, making appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2078 creates an opportunity tax credit of $4,000 per eligible dependent for Iowa taxpayers whose children are not enrolled in public school or receiving an educational savings account (ESA) payment. It directly affects parents or guardians of dependents who meet specific criteria, such as having attended public school for at least one semester, being eligible for kindergarten, or previously receiving an ESA payment. The credit is refundable, can be claimed on tax returns or requested as an advance payment from a newly created state fund, and requires the Department of Revenue to verify enrollment status with the Department of Education. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and mandates annual reports starting in 2028 detailing claims and potential fraud.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable $4,000 tax credit for educational expenses, reducing tax burden on eligible middle/lower income families. Directly provides tax relief as a fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $4,000 tax credit for families using non-public education options, expanding educational access through direct financial support for dependent education expenses.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SSB 3004: A bill for an act providing for an online platform for professionals to provide career information to students.

Iowa's SSB 3004 requires the Department of Workforce Development to create an online platform connecting Iowa students with professionals for career exploration. The platform allows educators at participating schools to request virtual sessions with professionals matching students' interests and classroom needs, enabling students to explore careers from their classrooms. Key features include matching professionals' skills to curriculum, hosting live Q&A sessions, sharing recorded industry videos, and allowing industry groups to sponsor school participation. This directly affects Iowa public school students, educators, and professionals seeking to engage with youth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates online platform linking students to career professionals, enhancing curriculum-based career exploration within schools per bill's mandate.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates online platform using internet for career exploration, expanding educational technology access and digital engagement for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Social Media

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