Education

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 · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 537: A bill for an act prohibiting private institutions of higher education that participate in the Iowa tuition grant program from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.

This bill prohibits private colleges and universities in Iowa that participate in the state's tuition grant program from establishing or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. It defines a DEI office as any unit creating or promoting policies related to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, but excludes legal compliance offices, academic departments, student recruitment, and student organizations. Institutions failing to comply risk losing eligibility for the tuition grant program starting the next academic year, with a 30-day window to correct violations or provide documentation. The law explicitly allows DEI-related activities that align with federal or state law, accreditation standards, or academic instruction.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices in participating colleges, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education policy per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2072: A bill for an act relating to state entities, including by modifying provisions related to prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers and to trainings and curricula regarding specific defined concepts provided by school districts.

SF 2072 prohibits state entities and school districts in Iowa from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or curricula covering specific "defined concepts." It requires termination of employees who violate these prohibitions, revocation of professional licenses for licensed individuals, and imposes civil fines of $50,000 or $100,000 on affected schools or state entities based on their budget size. The bill allows students, alumni, or employees to sue school districts for violations, with prevailing parties triggering these penalties. It directly affects school staff, state employees, and licensed professionals (like teachers or attorneys) who work in programs deemed non-compliant.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI curricula and programs in schools, restricting educational content and academic freedom per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

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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 12, 2026

SF 2063: A bill for an act prohibiting courses and content relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory in general education requirements and core curricula at regents institutions.

SF 2063, titled the "Stop Woke Act," prohibits Iowa regents institutions from including courses or course requirements containing specific diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory-related content in undergraduate general education or core curricula. The bill defines prohibited content as material discussing systemic racism, race-based privilege, or concepts like "critical race theory" or "systemic bias" in contemporary society. It requires the state board of regents to establish policies by December 31, 2026, and review all general education requirements to remove affected courses by the same deadline. The law specifically targets required courses in core curricula, not all courses or extracurricular programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly prohibits DEI/CRT content in curricula, restricting educational content per bill's definition of prohibited material.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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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 · House Feb 6, 2026

HSB 636: A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering into certain specified contracts with public libraries and hosting mobile libraries.

This bill prohibits Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering agreements that would allow students to use their school-issued ID cards to access public library resources (like books or digital materials). It also bans these schools from permitting mobile libraries - vehicles owned/operated by public libraries that transport books - to access school property for events where students check out books. The law defines "public library" as city-ordained or chapter 336 library districts and "mobile library" as a vehicle used for transporting educational materials. These provisions apply directly to all covered schools and public libraries in Iowa.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits school districts from allowing student ID access to public libraries and banning mobile library visits, restricting student access to educational resources.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts school-issued ID access to library digital resources, limiting student access to online materials and digital services provided by public libraries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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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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