Education

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 502: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the activities administration authorization established by the board of educational examiners.

HF 502 modifies Iowa's requirements for school activities administrators by changing the degree eligibility rule. Currently, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in athletics, physical education, or a related field; this bill would instead require only a bachelor's degree in *any* academic field. It directly affects individuals seeking authorization to oversee school sports and extracurricular programs under the Board of Educational Examiners. The bill amends Section 256.146 of Iowa Code to establish this new requirement through administrative rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves specific degree requirement for school activities administrators, broadening eligibility and potentially increasing access to qualified personnel in school programs.75% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 253: A bill for an act relating to computer science instruction, including by modifying provisions related to the graduation requirements, the computer science instruction provided by students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, computer science instruction endorsements and authorizations issued by the board of educational examiners, and the computer science professional development incentive fund.

HF 253 requires Iowa high school students graduating in 2029 or later to complete one semester of computer science coursework to meet graduation requirements, which may include classes taken in eighth grade. The bill modifies existing science and math graduation rules to allow up to one unit of computer science to count toward those requirements. School districts must report annually on computer science course offerings, teacher certifications, and student enrollment, while allowing limited waivers for implementation challenges. The law also establishes standards for computer science courses and teacher authorizations to ensure quality instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science coursework for graduation, expanding curriculum requirements and aligning with STEM education goals while requiring district reporting on implementation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 318: A bill for an act prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair.

SF 318 prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s hair texture, style, or natural/protective hairstyles (including braids, locs, twists, afros, and cornrows) in schools, workplaces, housing, and public accommodations. It amends Iowa’s civil rights laws to explicitly include hairstyle as a protected characteristic under existing race discrimination protections. The bill defines "natural or protective hairstyles" and requires school districts to remove dress code policies banning such styles. It applies statewide to all programs receiving state funding and aligns with federal protections under 42 U.S.C. §1981(c).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits school dress code bans on natural hair styles, protecting student rights and enhancing educational access in K-12 settings per bill's school district requirements.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExplicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on hair texture/style, including housing in protected areas under civil rights law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination based on hair texture/style, protecting workers' rights under civil rights laws as explicitly stated in bill's workplace coverage.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 554: A bill for an act relating to public schools, including by modifying provisions related to school district library programs and requests to remove educational materials from classrooms and school libraries.

HF 554 modifies Iowa public school library requirements. It requires school districts to employ a licensed teacher librarian (starting July 1, 2025), removing the previous option of hiring someone previously employed at a public library. The bill eliminates enforcement mechanisms like written warnings and hearings for library program compliance, removes confidentiality protections for parents requesting book removals, and deletes prohibitions against student involvement in material removal decisions. These changes directly affect school districts, library staff, and parents making material removal requests.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes library compliance enforcement, confidentiality for book removal requests, and prohibits student involvement in material removal, enabling easier censorship and restricting educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 336: A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

HF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust curriculum and teacher training in K-12 schools, strengthening educational content and teacher preparedness per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SSB 1164: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve by allowing instruction related to technology, engineering, or manufacturing to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to computer science.

SSB 1164 modifies Iowa's high school curriculum requirements to allow students in grades 9-12 to fulfill part of their computer science graduation requirement through courses in technology, engineering, or manufacturing. This includes classes covering topics like transportation, logistics, architecture, and construction, which can be offered as standalone courses or integrated into existing career and technical education programs. The bill applies to all public schools, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa. The state board of education must develop implementing rules for this change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands curriculum flexibility by allowing tech/engineering courses to fulfill computer science requirements, enhancing educational relevance and student program options in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SF 382: A bill for an act relating to education, including by prohibiting the use of certain mascots to represent schools and institutions of higher education, establishing grant programs to assist schools and institutions of higher education in adopting alternative mascots, modifying provisions related to the Iowa tuition grants program, and making appropriations.

SF 382 prohibits Iowa public schools and colleges from using mascots, team names, or logos that reference disabilities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act). It requires these institutions to adopt new, non-discriminatory representations by the bill's effective date, with a transition period allowing continued use of existing materials until September 1, 2027, under specific rules. The bill establishes two grant programs: one administered by the Department of Education to help K-12 schools and nonpublic institutions cover costs for changing mascots, and another by the State Board of Regents for public universities, both funded starting July 2025. These grants cover expenses like new signage, uniforms, and materials, with funding ending September 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant programs to help schools adopt inclusive mascots, promoting equitable educational environments and non-discriminatory practices under education policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 25, 2025

HF 335: A bill for an act relating to moneys deposited into school district student activity funds.

HF 335 changes Iowa school funding rules so money deposited into student activity funds stays available for student programs until the end of the fiscal year it was added, rather than reverting to the school's general budget sooner. This directly affects all Iowa public school districts managing student activity accounts. The bill prevents automatic early transfer of these funds, ensuring they remain dedicated to student activities for the full fiscal year. (Procedural bill; summary limited to policy change).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents early transfer of student activity funds to general budgets, ensuring dedicated funding for student programs throughout the fiscal year per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SF 335: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to trainings and curricula provided by school districts and prohibited sexual orientation and gender identity instruction, and implementing prohibitions related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents, community colleges, and public schools.

SF 335 prohibits public schools, community colleges, and state universities from including sexual orientation or gender identity instruction in curricula and restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. It allows parents or school employees to file lawsuits against school districts to stop alleged violations, with the school district facing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation if sued successfully. The bill also requires school administrators to report known violations of these restrictions to the district. These provisions apply to all public K-12 schools, community colleges, and state universities governed by the Iowa Board of Regents.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits LGBTQ+ curriculum content and restricts DEI efforts in schools/universities, imposing penalties for violations, directly limiting educational content and academic freedom.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SSB 1100: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, teacher preparation requirements, out-of-state placement of certain specified students requiring special education, the duties of the department of education, and minimum teacher salaries, and including effective date provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's education funding and teacher policies. It establishes a tiered system grouping school districts by enrollment size to calculate teacher salary supplement costs, ensuring districts meet minimum salary requirements ($50,000 starting, $62,000 for 12+ years' experience) and related retirement/insurance costs. It also requires 80 hours of pre-student teaching field experience for new teacher candidates and sets new criteria for out-of-state placements of students needing special education, requiring state department approvals. The changes directly affect school districts, teacher preparation programs, and students with special education needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates minimum teacher salaries ($50k-$62k) and related costs, requiring state budget allocation for education funding under school finance provisions.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets minimum teacher salaries ($50k starting, $62k for 12+ years) and mandates 80-hour field experience, directly advancing educator compensation and preparation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education Teachers

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