Education

vetoed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 2320: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.

SF 2320 modifies Iowa's concurrent enrollment program, which allows high school students (grades 9-12) to take college courses at community colleges. The bill requires students to enroll in in-person course versions unless a school superintendent (or designee) authorizes online enrollment, considering if the student is prepared for and likely to succeed in online learning. School boards must annually approve courses for high school credit based on academic rigor and college readiness. Written notice about course details, hours, and earned college credit must be provided to students and parents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires in-person enrollment for concurrent courses with academic rigor standards, ensuring college readiness and program quality for K-12 students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 19, 2026

HF 2362: A bill for an act relating to tuition charged to resident undergraduate students enrolled at regents institutions.

HF 2362 requires Iowa's regents institutions to establish a policy preventing tuition increases for resident undergraduate students during their subsequent years of enrollment after the first year, starting with enrollments beginning in 2027 or later. It directly affects in-state undergraduate students who begin their first academic year at a regents institution in 2027 or later, freezing tuition for up to three additional years. Key exceptions include students who transfer to a higher-tuition institution (allowing the new school to charge more) or those who complete their degree in fewer than four years using transfer credits. The policy does not apply to any academic years beyond three consecutive years after the student's first year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFreezes tuition for in-state undergrads at regents institutions, reducing financial barriers and enhancing access to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2026

HF 2364: A bill for an act relating to the enactment of supplemental state aid and the suspension and forfeiture of legislative pay.

HF 2364 requires Iowa legislators' salaries to be suspended if the state fails to enact specific budget funding levels (state percent of growth and categorical state percent of growth) within 30 days of the governor's budget transmission. This applies directly to Iowa legislators during the regular legislative session. If the required budget provisions aren't passed by the deadline, salaries are suspended starting on day 31 and remain suspended until the funding levels are enacted. Any withheld salary is forfeited and not paid retroactively upon later enactment of the budget provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ties legislators' salaries to passing required school funding levels (state percent of growth), directly ensuring budget compliance for education. This mechanism protects school finance funding as a core education topic.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2457: A bill for an act establishing the credential-attainment program within the department of workforce development, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2457 establishes a state program where community colleges partner with employers and school districts to help high school students (grades 9-12) earn industry credentials while still in school. Employers agree to fund at least 20% of program costs and guarantee high-wage jobs (minimum 200% of federal poverty level for a family of two) for students who complete the program. In return, employers receive tax credits based on wages paid to participants, calculated as up to 10% of gross wages, which are applied against their state withholding taxes. The program requires annual budget adjustments, includes employer default procedures, and allows employers to pause hiring during economic downturns. It directly affects students, community colleges, and qualifying employers in manufacturing, construction, R&D, and services (excluding retail).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides employer tax credits (up to 10% of wages) and makes appropriations to fund workforce program, directly using tax policy to support funding and incentives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes K-12 career credential program with employer partnerships, expanding student access to industry certifications and job guarantees, directly supporting educational access and career pathways.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees high-wage jobs (200% poverty level) and provides employer tax credits to fund workforce program, advancing employment standards and career pathways for students.92% confidence

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

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 2649: A bill for an act establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.

HF 2649, the "REACH Act," creates a pilot program allowing eligible Iowa community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in specific high-demand fields like nursing, IT, and education. To qualify, colleges must be at least 50 miles from existing bachelor's programs and limit offerings to three degrees per institution, with upper-level courses taught on campus (not online). The bill requires annual reporting on enrollment, student outcomes, and workforce alignment to the state education department and legislature. It directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved areas seeking to expand local higher education options without replacing university programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands access to bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields through community colleges, aligning with workforce needs and increasing educational opportunities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables community colleges to offer nursing degrees (a healthcare field), expanding workforce pipeline for healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates workforce-aligned degree pathways in high-demand fields (nursing, IT, education), directly advancing employment standards through education-to-career pipeline development.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly authorizes community colleges to offer IT bachelor's degrees as a high-demand field, directly advancing technology workforce development through education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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died · Iowa · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SF 2361: 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 would establish a "seal of civics excellence" program administered by Iowa's Department of Education to recognize high school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics. The program requires students to show knowledge of American government and participate in civic activities, with the department setting the specific requirements for earning the seal. Participating schools would voluntarily notify the department of qualifying students, and the department would provide a seal (such as a sticker for transcripts or a certificate) that can be affixed to diplomas. The department may charge a nominal fee to cover printing and mailing costs for the seals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes civics recognition program to enhance student civic education and engagement within K-12 schools, directly strengthening curriculum and student programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HSB 676: A bill for an act relating to charter schools and innovation zone schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school funding and operations, services provided to charter schools by area education agencies, charter school contracts, and charter school student participation in extracurricular activities provided by public schools, striking provisions allowing for the establishment of innovation zone schools, and including applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's charter school laws by eliminating "innovation zone schools" (a separate category previously allowed) and focusing solely on traditional charter schools. It requires the state board of education to be the sole authorizer for new charter schools, sets a 75-day timeline for application decisions, and mandates specific new requirements for all charter schools. These include developing math proficiency plans by 2025, creating family resources for math support, adopting device-use policies, and distributing updated U.S. civics tests to students. The bill directly affects all existing and future charter schools in Iowa, removing the innovation zone option and adding operational standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates math proficiency plans, family resources, and strengthens charter school oversight with new academic requirements, advancing educational outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 30, 2026

HF 2725: A bill for an act relating to education reporting, including the sharing of unit-level wage data for secondary and postsecondary program evaluation, the establishment of the condition of education report, consolidating certain required reports, modifying responsibilities for the future ready Iowa last-dollar scholarship report, modifying Iowa workforce development data-sharing provisions, and creating a return on investment reporting system to be overseen by the Iowa student aid commission.

HF 2725 requires Iowa's Department of Workforce Development to share unit-level wage data (like job titles, earnings, and locations) with the Department of Education for evaluating secondary and postsecondary education programs. It establishes an annual "condition of education report" due April 1 each year, consolidating multiple existing reports, and creates a statewide return on investment (ROI) reporting system overseen by the Iowa Student Aid Commission. Public colleges and universities must submit program-level data - including costs, completion rates, graduate earnings, and job placement - to the Commission for public publication. Institutions failing to comply may lose eligibility for state financial aid programs, though federal aid remains unaffected. The bill directly affects public colleges, students seeking program transparency, and state agencies managing education data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes data-driven reporting systems (condition of education report, ROI tracking) to evaluate program effectiveness and inform education funding decisions, strengthening accountability and outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 11, 2026

HF 2510: 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.

HF 2510 modifies Iowa's K-12 social studies curriculum requirements. It mandates specific instruction on U.S. founding documents (including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Federalist Papers), "admirable Americans" like Lincoln and Douglass, and Holocaust education for both students and teachers. The bill requires grades 5-6 to study key historical documents, adds a semester of civics focusing on U.S. founding principles and government structures, and specifies that U.S. history instruction must emphasize "exceptional and praiseworthy history" using primary sources. It directly affects all public school students in grades 1-12 and their educators across Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific curriculum content including founding documents, Holocaust education, and civics, strengthening educational standards per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 2413: A bill for an act relating to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades seven and eight, and including applicability provisions.

This bill (SF 2413) requires all Iowa schools serving grades seven and eight - including public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools - to include at least one-half semester of instruction on U.S. government as part of their social studies curriculum. It expands current law, which previously only mandated civics instruction, by adding specific requirements for U.S. government education in those grades. The policy applies to all eligible schools for the 2028-2029 school year and later. The change ensures students receive dedicated time on U.S. government structure and function, alongside existing civics content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates U.S. government instruction in 7th-8th grade social studies, expanding curriculum requirements to strengthen civic education as part of core curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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