Education (School Choice)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SF 2008: A bill for an act establishing requirements related to nonpublic schools that receive tuition payments from parents or guardians whose students are participating in the education savings account program.

SF 2008 requires nonpublic schools receiving tuition payments through Iowa's education savings account program to meet specific accountability standards. The bill mandates that these schools must follow the same accountability, data reporting, and auditing rules as public school districts. This applies to all nonpublic schools that accept payments from parents using savings account funds for tuition. The law directly affects participating nonpublic schools by requiring compliance with these district-level requirements to continue receiving program payments. It modifies the definition of "qualified educational expenses" to include these new conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires nonpublic schools using public education savings funds to follow public school accountability, data reporting, and auditing rules, strengthening oversight of publicly funded education programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 28, 2026

HF 2186: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to application periods for the education savings account program.

HF 2186 modifies Iowa's education savings account program by creating a new application window for semester-based funding. Parents or guardians of students attending nonpublic schools can now apply for payments between December 1-20 (instead of the existing January 1-June 30 window for full school years). If applications are submitted in this new semester window, payments are reduced to 50% of the standard amount. The bill also requires the state to pay nonpublic schools directly within 30 days when tuition is covered by these accounts. This affects families using the program for nonpublic school expenses like tuition and educational materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new semester application window for education savings accounts, expanding access to nonpublic school funding despite reduced payments for this window.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 557: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to English learner participation in open enrollment and including applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's open enrollment rules for English learners, affecting students, their home school districts, and receiving districts. It requires that transfer requests for English learners be approved only if the receiving district has an appropriate program meeting the student's needs without exceeding class size limits, and has sufficient space in general education classes if applicable. The bill clarifies funding: the home district pays the receiving district the standard English learner funding plus any additional costs the receiving district incurs for specialized instruction, if those costs exceed the standard rate. These changes apply to open enrollment requests filed after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies funding for English learner open enrollment and requires receiving districts to provide appropriate programs meeting student needs without exceeding class sizes, enhancing access and program quality.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1454XD: Charter Schools, Concurrent Enrollment and Board Members (1454XD) - Education, Department of

This bill (1454XD) modifies two key aspects of Iowa's charter school system. First, it removes a requirement that non-resident charter school board members must live in Iowa, allowing them to serve without state residency. Second, it expands student access to community college concurrent enrollment programs: charter school students (including those in online charter schools) can now participate through their school district (for traditional charter schools) or their home district (for online charter schools). These changes directly affect charter school governing boards and students seeking college-level courses while in high school. The bill updates existing provisions without altering overall school funding or academic standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands concurrent enrollment access for charter school students, increasing higher education opportunities and aligning with educational access indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 25, 2025

HF 407: A bill for an act relating to open enrollment by requiring the payment of certain moneys received from the secure an advanced vision for education fund.

HF 407 requires Iowa school districts to transfer a portion of funding from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund to receiving districts for students participating in open enrollment. Starting July 1, 2026, for each student enrolled in a district other than their home district, the home district must pay the receiving district an amount equal to the per-pupil SAVE funding the home district received the previous year. This redirected money must be used solely for statewide school infrastructure projects under Chapter 423F. The bill affects home and receiving school districts by changing how existing SAVE fund allocations are distributed for open enrollment students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing SAVE fund moneys to receiving districts for open enrollment, ensuring proper fiscal management of state education funds per bill requirements.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects SAVE fund money to receiving districts for open enrollment, ensuring funding follows students to support school resources and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HSB 105: A bill for an act relating to charter schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school board member requirements and charter school student participation in the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.

This bill modifies two key aspects of Iowa's charter school system. First, it removes a requirement that non-resident charter school board members must be Iowa state residents (only requiring geographic area residency). Second, it expands student access to dual enrollment programs: charter school students can now choose to enroll through either their school's district or their home district, including for online charter schools. These changes directly affect charter school boards and students seeking college course access. The bill aims to provide greater flexibility for charter schools and their students within existing educational pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual enrollment access for charter students, allowing choice between districts and enabling online charter participation - directly increases educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HF 613: A bill for an act relating to the maximum driving distance for persons issued a special minor’s restricted driver’s license who participate in open enrollment.

HF 613 modifies Iowa's driving restrictions for minors aged 14-18 holding a special minor's restricted license who participate in open enrollment. It increases the maximum allowable driving distance between a minor's home and school from 25 miles to 40 miles for these students, while maintaining the existing unlimited distance rule for those attending public school within their district. The bill specifically applies to students enrolled in open enrollment programs under section 282.18. It does not change the 25-mile limit for other restricted license holders or alter the current penalties for violations. This change aims to provide greater flexibility for students attending schools outside their home district through open enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases driving distance for open enrollment students (expanding access to non-district schools), facilitating educational access under §282.18.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Transportation

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SF 286: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the national board certification pilot project and establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission, and including effective date provisions.

SF 286 modifies Iowa's national board certification program for teachers and creates a new tuition reimbursement program for dyslexia specialist training. It establishes the "advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program" administered by the College Student Aid Commission (CSAC), providing tuition reimbursement to Iowa teachers working toward an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement. Eligible teachers must be employed by an Iowa school district, charter school, nonpublic school, or education agency and can receive reimbursement for up to two years, covering actual tuition costs (capped at total costs incurred). The program is funded through dedicated state appropriations that roll over annually if unspent, with CSAC reporting annually on participation and outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition reimbursement for dyslexia specialist training, supporting teacher development and student access to specialized education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 445: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to application periods for the education savings account program.

HF 445 modifies Iowa's education savings account program by creating two application windows for parents or guardians of eligible students attending nonpublic schools. It allows applications for the full school year (due Jan 1-June 30) or for a semester (due Dec 1-Dec 20). Applications submitted for a semester receive only 50% of the standard payment amount (instead of 100%), while school-year applications receive the full amount. The bill affects families seeking funds to cover qualified educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, or materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to education savings accounts with flexible application windows, increasing funding options for nonpublic school families while maintaining full-year funding eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 417: A bill for an act modifying the tuition and textbook tax credit available against the individual income tax, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 417 increases Iowa's tuition and textbook tax credit for eligible families from 25% to 50% of the first $2,000 spent annually per dependent on private or accredited public school tuition and textbooks (K-12). It directly affects Iowa taxpayers with children attending qualifying non-profit, accredited schools that comply with civil rights laws. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, meaning families can claim the higher credit for 2025 taxes immediately. The credit remains subject to existing eligibility rules, including school accreditation and non-profit status requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tuition/textbook tax credit from 25% to 50%, providing direct tax relief to eligible families for K-12 education expenses.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credit for K-12 tuition/textbooks from 25% to 50%, expanding financial support for families and improving educational access to accredited schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Curriculum School Choice

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