Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3049: A bill for an act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans.

This bill (SSB 3049) updates Iowa's career education framework to better align high school programs with workforce needs. It requires the state workforce board to create a statewide list of high-demand jobs, while allowing community colleges to add up to five regional high-demand job listings for local program planning. The bill modifies career academy requirements to ensure they include articulated postsecondary coursework, improves credit transfer between community colleges and four-year institutions for career programs, and expands funding for high school students (grades 9-12) to take college-level classes through concurrent enrollment. These changes directly affect high school students, community colleges, school districts, and the state workforce development board by strengthening career pathways and college credit access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates career education framework to align with workforce needs, requires statewide high-demand job lists, and improves credit transfer between institutions, strengthening educational pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2084: A bill for an act relating to the inclusion of the your life Iowa program on public school internet sites.

This bill requires Iowa public schools serving grades 7-12 to include suicide prevention resources on their websites, specifically the contact information and internet address for "Your Life Iowa" or its successor program. Schools issuing student ID cards to grades 5-12 must also display crisis hotline numbers and the program's website on the cards. The law directly affects public schools in those grade levels by mandating the inclusion of these resources as accessible tools for students. It does not create new programs but ensures existing suicide prevention resources are visibly available through school communication channels.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention resources on school websites and ID cards for grades 5-12, supporting student mental health and safety in educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention resources on school sites, directly supporting mental health access for students through crisis hotline and program inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 1, 2026

HF 2231: A bill for an act establishing a seal of civics excellence program administered by the department of education to recognize student excellence in civics.

HF 2231 establishes Iowa's "Seal of Civics Excellence" program administered by the Department of Education. It recognizes high school students who demonstrate civics proficiency through knowledge of American government and participation in community activities. Schools may voluntarily participate, and the Department will determine requirements, create a seal (like a sticker for transcripts or a certificate), and require it to be affixed to diplomas. The program is voluntary for schools, with the Department potentially charging a small fee for printing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary civics recognition program to enhance student engagement in government education, strengthening curriculum development and student achievement in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2120: A bill for an act relating to bona fide retirement and subsequent employment as school district support staff or a coach under the Iowa public employees’ retirement system.

SF 2120 modifies Iowa's public employees' retirement system rules for school district support staff and coaches. It allows members who have received one month of retirement benefits to return to covered employment with a school district, instead of requiring them to wait four months under current law. The bill directly affects Iowa public employees in these specific school roles who retire and later seek reemployment. This change simplifies the process for returning to work after retirement by reducing the required waiting period from four to one month.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill simplifies reemployment for retired school support staff/coaches, aiding staffing stability. Supports educational workforce retention without direct funding, aligning with workforce support indicators.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEases retirement re-employment restrictions for school staff, enhancing workforce flexibility and access to employment options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 549: A bill for an act relating to tuition charged to resident undergraduate students enrolled at regents institutions.

HB 549 requires Iowa's public universities to set a policy where tuition for in-state undergraduate students remains fixed after their first year of enrollment, starting with students beginning in 2027 or later. This means a resident student's tuition won't rise in their second, third, or fourth year (up to three consecutive years total), unless they transfer credits allowing them to graduate faster. The policy does not apply to students who start after their first year or beyond the three-year window. It directly affects undergraduate students enrolled at Iowa's regents universities who are classified as state residents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFixes tuition for in-state undergrads after first year, preventing increases and improving affordability/access to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 26, 2026

HF 2152: A bill for an act repealing the school tuition organization tax credit available against the individual and corporate income taxes and including effective date provisions.

HF 2152 repeals Iowa's school tuition organization (STO) tax credit program, which allowed taxpayers to reduce their individual or corporate income tax by 75% of donations to private schools. Starting July 1, 2026, new contributions to STOs will no longer qualify for this credit, and the annual credit limit for 2026 is reduced to $10 million (down from $20 million). The program is fully repealed effective July 1, 2032, ending all future use of the credit. This directly affects Iowa taxpayers and businesses that previously claimed this credit against their state income tax bills.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals tax credit diverting state revenue to private schools, closing a tax loophole that reduced public tax revenue by $10M+ annually.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill repeals tax credit funding for private school donations, directly reducing financial support for private education options and limiting educational access via tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HSB 558: A bill for an act establishing a seal of civics excellence program administered by the department of education to recognize student excellence in civics.

This bill establishes a voluntary program where Iowa high schools can recognize graduating students who meet civics proficiency standards. The Department of Education would set requirements, including knowledge of American government and participation in civic activities, and create a seal (like a sticker for transcripts or a certificate). Schools participating in the program must affix the seal to students' diplomas and note it on transcripts. Participation by schools remains optional, and the department may charge a nominal fee to cover printing costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes voluntary civics recognition program enhancing student achievement in government knowledge and civic engagement through diploma seals.90% confidence

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5497XD: Concurrent Enrollment and Career and Academic Planning (5497XD) - Education, Department of

This bill establishes a statewide list of high-demand jobs to guide workforce programs like apprenticeships and scholarships, while allowing community colleges to identify up to five regional high-demand jobs for local career planning. It updates career academy requirements to ensure they are career-focused, include articulated postsecondary pathways, and require director approval. The bill also adjusts school funding weights for high school students taking community college courses (with higher weighting for career/technical courses) and mandates community colleges to create statewide agreements for seamless transfer of career-technical credits to four-year universities without arbitrary limits. These changes directly affect high school students, community colleges, school districts, and career academies across Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts school funding weights for high school students taking community college courses and updates career academies to include postsecondary pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5498XD: Educator Preparation Programs (5498XD) - Education, Department of

This bill requires Iowa's educator preparation programs (which train future teachers) to include specific clinical experiences focused on serving students with disabilities and English learners, starting July 1, 2027. All students must complete at least 15 practicum hours on differentiation strategies, while those seeking an English learner teaching endorsement must complete 40 hours of specialized training. The Department of Education will administer a summative assessment before program completion to measure content readiness, set minimum passing scores, and publish annual program performance data. These changes aim to improve teacher preparedness for diverse student needs through standardized training and accountability measures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specialized teacher training for students with disabilities and English learners, enhancing educator preparedness and student access to inclusive education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5496XD: Gifted and Talented Programs (5496XD) - Education, Department of

This bill requires Iowa school districts to develop standardized procedures for identifying and serving gifted and talented students (K-12) using multiple data sources like assessments, teacher input, and observations - ensuring no single criterion blocks participation. It mandates districts to create an "advanced mathematics pathway" that automatically enrolls students scoring "advanced" in math (grades 5-7) in accelerated courses, aiming to have all students complete algebra I by grade nine. Additionally, districts must establish clear procedures for subject and grade acceleration, automatically enrolling high-performing students in advanced courses (with parent opt-out) and providing support for learning gaps. The bill directly affects all Iowa public school districts and gifted students, particularly those historically underrepresented in advanced programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized gifted identification and creates advanced math pathway, expanding access to accelerated programs for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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