Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2170: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.

This bill (SF 2170) modifies Iowa's concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students (grades 9-12) to take college courses at community colleges. Its key change requires students to enroll in in-person course sections at community colleges unless a school superintendent specifically authorizes online enrollment. The bill also maintains requirements for school districts to approve courses for academic rigor, provide written notices about course details to students and parents, and ensure comparable courses aren’t already offered locally. These changes aim to standardize enrollment procedures while preserving the program’s goal of offering rigorous academic options. The bill does not alter funding or eligibility but clarifies operational rules for the existing program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires in-person enrollment to maintain academic rigor, enhancing program quality and student engagement in concurrent education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 714: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve and the educational programs provided by the institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, and requiring education related to the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

This bill modifies Iowa's social studies curriculum for grades 1-12 and requires Holocaust education for students and teachers in public school districts. It mandates specific historical documents (like the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, and Emancipation Proclamation) be studied in grades 5-6 and throughout social studies, emphasizes "admirable Americans" (including Lincoln and Douglass), and requires instruction on U.S. founding principles, free enterprise economics, and Iowa history. The bill also adds Holocaust education as a required component for both students and teachers. These changes directly affect all public school students and educators in Iowa's K-12 system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific historical curriculum content (Declaration of Independence, Holocaust education) and foundational principles, enhancing social studies standards per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SF 2223: 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.

SF 2223 modifies Iowa's career education system to better align high school programs with workforce needs. It requires the workforce development board and community colleges to create statewide and regional lists of high-demand jobs, which will guide apprenticeships, scholarships, and summer programs. The bill updates credit transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year universities to prioritize seamless transfer of career and technical education credits. Additionally, it expands funding for high school students taking college-level classes at community colleges through concurrent enrollment programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies career education systems to align with workforce needs, enhances credit transfer for career programs, and expands pathways - advancing educational access and program quality.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns education with high-demand jobs via apprenticeships/scholarships, enhancing workforce readiness and labor market alignment per bill's focus on career pathways.85% confidence

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

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SF 2253: A bill for an act establishing a graduation requirement for instruction related to food nutrition and preparation.

SF 2253 requires all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic high schools to mandate that students complete a half-course (equivalent to one semester) of food nutrition and preparation instruction to graduate. This applies to students in grades 9-12, beginning with the 2030-2031 graduating class, though students may fulfill the requirement earlier by taking the course in 7th or 8th grade. The bill specifies that school districts will cover the cost using existing state school foundation aid, with no additional state funding required. It directly affects all Iowa high school students and their schools by adding a new graduation requirement focused on practical nutrition and cooking skills.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates new nutrition curriculum requirement for graduation, strengthening educational standards and expanding student learning in food nutrition and preparation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2311: A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

SF 2311 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction - integrated into existing courses - cover specific topics including the Holocaust's causes, history of antisemitism, U.S. military roles in defeating Nazi Germany, and connections to modern discrimination. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics as part of professional development, using resources from approved organizations like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on district compliance to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust curriculum integration into K-12, enhancing historical education and teacher training requirements per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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introduced · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2528: A bill for an act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.

HF 2528 requires Iowa's workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education to address cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. It mandates K-12 public schools to develop cyber/AI literacy standards, establishes partnerships between colleges and private industry for internships and degree programs, and creates a grant program for training (subject to funding). The bill also directs the state board to set statewide education standards, create a voluntary school certification program for AI/cyber compliance, and requires the education department to launch a community awareness initiative with digital resources and targeted outreach for groups like seniors and law enforcement. These provisions directly affect Iowa students, educators, schools, and professionals seeking career transitions in cyber/AI fields.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 cyber/AI literacy standards, creates college-industry partnerships, and establishes grants for tech education training - directly enhancing curriculum and workforce readiness.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cyber/AI literacy standards in K-12, creates industry partnerships for tech workforce training, and establishes grant programs for AI/cyber education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SF 2224: A bill for an act relating to computer science education, including by modifying provisions related to standards for computer science education, the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and practitioner preparation programs, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2224 requires all Iowa public high schools (grades 9-12) to include artificial intelligence fundamentals in computer science courses, mandating instruction on what AI is, how it works, and its societal impacts. It updates graduation requirements to mandate a half-unit of computer science starting in 2022, allowing schools to fulfill part of this requirement through applied science, technology, engineering, or manufacturing courses. The bill also adds new standards for teacher preparation programs, requiring future educators to complete training in AI and computational thinking relevant to their grade level. These changes apply to all Iowa public schools and teacher training institutions, directly affecting students, educators, and curriculum developers. The law modifies existing education codes (sections 256.7, 256.11, and 256.16) to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI fundamentals in high school CS curriculum and updates graduation requirements to strengthen computer science education standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI fundamentals in high school CS curriculum, requiring instruction on AI's societal impacts, advancing tech education and digital literacy standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2652: A bill for an act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.

HF 2652 requires Iowa schools serving preschool through kindergarten to incorporate specific amounts of play-based learning into daily instruction. It mandates at least 90 minutes of play-based learning per half school day and 180 minutes per full day for prekindergarten programs, and at least 45 minutes daily for kindergarten programs. The bill defines "play-based learning" as child-directed activities promoting development through play, excluding recess or physical education. This applies to all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools offering these grades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific play-based learning time in early education curriculum, advancing developmental teaching methods for preschool/kindergarten programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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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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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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