Education (Teachers)

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 7, 2025

HSB 43: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to community college and department of education reporting requirements, the national board certification pilot project, and employees of the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program or the Iowa school for the deaf, and including effective date provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's education policies by changing how community colleges and the Department of Education (DE) handle reporting, establishing a teacher certification pilot program, and updating employment rules for specialized education programs. It requires community colleges to submit annual financial and program data directly to DE (not the community colleges bureau) by specific deadlines, with summaries included in DE's annual report to the legislature. The bill creates a national board certification pilot for Iowa teachers, allocating $508,250 for certification awards and stipends, and updates termination procedures and compensation schedules for staff at Iowa's programs for the blind/visually impaired and the deaf. These changes affect community colleges, DE, K-12 teachers seeking certification, and employees of specialized educational programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates national board certification pilot for teachers and updates employment rules for specialized programs, supporting educator development and accessibility in education services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 102: A bill for an act relating to public school personnel training concerning mental health.

SF 102 requires all licensed K-12 school staff in Iowa with regular student contact to complete two annual, evidence-based mental health trainings by July 1, 2026. It mandates separate training on educator mental wellness (to occur within the first 60 days of the school year) and student social-emotional wellness with mental health symptom identification (to occur in January or February). Both trainings must follow nationally recognized best practices, and the state board of education will set qualifications for trainers. This bill directly affects school personnel holding licenses or certifications from Iowa's board of educational examiners.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based mental health training for K-12 staff, supporting educator wellness and student mental health programs per best practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based mental health training for school staff, directly advancing mental health services in schools per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SSB 1053: A bill for an act relating to school funding by establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for the budget year beginning July 1, 2025, modifying provisions relating to the property tax replacement payments, and including effective date provisions.

This bill sets a 2% annual growth rate for state school funding starting in the 2025 budget year (July 1, 2025), affecting Iowa school districts through their state aid calculations. It establishes two specific rates: a "state percent of growth" (2% for 2025) for general funding and a "categorical state percent of growth" (2% for 2025) for targeted programs like teacher pay supplements and early intervention. School districts receive property tax replacement payments based on these rates, calculated using a formula tied to enrollment and per-pupil funding adjustments. The rates for 2025 are fixed, but future rates will be set annually by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 2% annual growth in school funding, increasing state aid to districts and setting categorical rates for targeted programs, directly advancing school finance within state budget priorities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes 2% annual state school funding growth with categorical rate for teacher pay supplements, increasing state aid to districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 6, 2025

SF 60: A bill for an act relating to the state school foundation program and the calculation of minimum state foundation aid for school districts and including applicability provisions.

This bill changes how Iowa calculates minimum state funding for public school districts. It sets the minimum foundation aid at $300 per pupil, but this amount now specifically covers four teacher-related costs: salary supplements, professional development, early intervention, and teacher leadership programs. If a district's total state aid plus local property tax exceeds its total costs, the state will reduce the required property tax rate. The changes apply to school budgets starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill sets minimum state aid at $300/pupil for schools and reduces property tax rates when state aid covers costs, increasing school funding and providing tax relief for districts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets $300/pupil foundation aid specifically for teacher salaries, PD, early intervention, and leadership programs, directly funding educator support and school programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HF 275: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the enrollment of eligible children in the statewide preschool program.

HF 275 modifies Iowa's statewide preschool program enrollment rules to prioritize homeless children. The bill requires local preschool programs (operated by school districts) to give priority on waiting lists to children meeting the federal definition of "homeless individual" under 42 U.S.C. §11302(a) and (c). This change applies to all local programs approved under Iowa Code chapter 256C, ensuring homeless children are prioritized when spaces are limited. The bill does not alter other program requirements like teacher ratios or learning standards. It directly affects preschool programs and homeless children seeking enrollment in Iowa's statewide preschool system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes homeless children for preschool enrollment, expanding access to early education for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes homeless children in preschool access, addressing homelessness as a housing issue per federal definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Homelessness

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SF 194: A bill for an act relating to the amount of compensation paid to school district employees, including by establishing an educator supplement for all fund to be administered by the department of education, and modifying the amount of compensation paid to teachers, certain employees with a license, endorsement, certification, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners, and teaching assistants, and making appropriations.

SF 194 establishes a state-administered "educator supplement for all fund" to increase compensation for school district staff. It requires school districts to pay licensed educators (excluding administrators) an additional $5,000 annually and teaching assistants 10% of their base salary each year, on top of existing pay. The fund, financed through state appropriations starting July 2025, ensures districts can meet these new requirements. This bill directly affects teachers, certified staff, and teaching assistants in Iowa public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state appropriations to fund educator salary increases, directly increasing public education spending within state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates $5,000 annual supplement for licensed educators and 10% for teaching assistants via state-funded educator supplement fund, directly increasing teacher compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SF 206: A bill for an act authorizing school districts to use revenues from the district management levy for teacher recruitment and retention incentives.

SF 206 allows Iowa school districts to use revenues from their district management levy to fund teacher recruitment and retention incentives. The bill sets specific limits: incentives cannot exceed 10% of an initial teacher's salary annually and must end after five school budget years. School districts may choose between this program or early retirement benefits, but cannot use both simultaneously or within five years of adopting the other. It requires public comment before adoption and prohibits using levy funds for early retirement costs in the same fiscal year as recruitment/retention incentives. This directly affects school districts seeking to address teacher staffing challenges through financial incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects existing tax levy revenues toward teacher retention programs, aligning with fiscal management of public funds for essential education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes school districts to use levy funds for teacher recruitment/retention incentives, directly supporting educator retention and funding within K-12 education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes school districts to fund teacher recruitment/retention incentives using levy revenues, directly supporting teacher wages and employment stability within defined limits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SF 72: A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.

SF 72 establishes a program to reimburse Iowa teachers up to 75% of tuition costs for obtaining a specialized dyslexia certification (an "advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement"). Teachers must work in Iowa schools or area education agencies while pursuing this certification and submit annual applications with proof of employment. The program provides two payments: 50% after the first year of teaching and the remaining 50% after the second year, with a maximum of two years of reimbursement per teacher. It is funded by a $335,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026, with unused funds carrying over to future years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly creates state appropriations to fund teacher tuition reimbursements (up to 75% of costs) through the College Student Aid Commission, directly allocating budget resources for an educational program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReimburses teachers 75% tuition for dyslexia certification, requiring continued Iowa school employment, directly funding teacher professional development to improve student literacy services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 33: A bill for an act establishing an agriculture education grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.

HF 33 creates an Iowa Department of Education grant program to expand access to agriculture, food, and natural resources education for high school students (grades 9-12). School districts can apply for grants covering up to 100% of teacher costs for up to 60 days of additional instruction in new agriculture programs (under 10 years old), or 50% for established programs. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing district funding for similar purposes and will be tracked through a statewide system. The bill establishes a permanent state fund for these grants, with unused balances carrying over annually.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program funding agriculture education expansion for high school students, supplementing existing district funding to increase access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 422: A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals.

HF 422 establishes quality standards for Iowa's statewide voluntary preschool program (SVPP), directly affecting school districts, early childhood providers, and families with preschool-aged children. The bill requires programs to meet specific standards including teacher-child ratios, student learning goals, parent involvement, and collaboration with families and community partners like Head Start and childcare centers. It mandates 5-year program renewals and clarifies that state preschool funding can cover staff training, materials, and transportation but cannot be used for facility construction. The bill also requires programs to demonstrate ongoing community partnerships and integrates children from other preschool programs with parental consent.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes quality standards (teacher ratios, learning goals) and clarifies preschool funding to improve early childhood education access and program quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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