HF 2783 allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support various education agencies, including the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. The bill provides specific amounts for salaries, operational expenses, and the hiring of full-time equivalent positions across areas such as general administration, career and technical education, and early childhood services. It also establishes new programs, including a statewide clearinghouse to expand work-based learning and summer college classes for high school students, while funding existing initiatives like birth-to-age-three services and statewide student assessments. This legislation directly affects school districts, educational institutions, and the agencies responsible for administering these programs throughout Iowa.
This bill requires the Iowa Department of Education to create and submit a report on cardiac emergency preparedness in schools. The report will detail how many schools have implemented cardiac emergency response plans and list the number and locations of automated external defibrillators at each school. The department must complete this report and send it to the General Assembly by January 15, 2027. The legislation applies to all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in the state.
SF 2220 modifies Iowa's statewide student assessments, requiring math and English language arts testing in grades 3-11 and science in grades 5, 8, and 10. It mandates school districts to develop procedures for identifying gifted and talented students using multiple data points (like standardized tests and teacher input), ensuring equitable access across all student groups. The bill requires districts to create an "advanced mathematics pathway" enabling students to complete algebra I by grade nine and automatically enroll students scoring "advanced" in math or ELA assessments in the next rigorous course level. These provisions directly affect all Iowa public school districts, students in grades 4-12, and gifted education programs by changing assessment requirements, identification processes, and access to accelerated math courses.
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.
HF 2610 mandates Iowa high schools to require students to complete sequential career and technical education (CTE) courses across six defined content areas (like health sciences, business, and manufacturing) starting in 2023. It establishes a statewide common course numbering system for Iowa community colleges by 2027 to standardize transfer pathways and ensure course equivalency across institutions. The bill also requires all Iowa community colleges to replace traditional remedial math and English courses with corequisite models by the 2028-2029 academic year. These changes directly affect K-12 students, community college learners, and educators by aligning CTE programs with high-demand, high-wage occupations and improving academic transfer consistency.
This bill requires Iowa's three regents universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa) to invest at least 1% of their total endowment assets into state-certified innovation funds by July 1, 2027. The investment must be calculated using the average quarterly market value of endowment assets from the previous fiscal year, with institutions retaining discretion over which funds to support and how to structure investments. Annual reporting on investment amounts, fund names, and economic impact is required, while the state board of regents may grant one-year waivers for capacity or market reasons. Noncompliance could result in corrective action or withholding up to 0.5% of annual appropriations, all while maintaining fiduciary standards for endowment management.
HF 2670 requires Iowa public schools to administer annual assessments in math and English language arts for students in grades 3-11 during the last school quarter. It also mandates science assessments for grades 5, 8, and 10, and social studies assessments for grades 8 and 10. The bill specifies that assessments must align with Iowa’s academic standards, meet federal requirements, and be available in both paper and digital formats. These changes directly affect Iowa’s K-12 students and school districts implementing testing programs.
HF 2724 requires Iowa's Board of Educational Examiners to create new teaching endorsements for high-need subjects (fine arts, math, and science) in pre-K through 12th grade schools. It mandates that applicants for these endorsements hold a bachelor's degree, with the requirement set to expire July 1, 2030. The bill also directs the board to establish a new "instructional strategist II" endorsement (not requiring a master's degree) and an "activities administration" authorization (requiring at least a bachelor's degree). These changes directly affect educators seeking specific teaching credentials in Iowa's schools.
HF 2493 modifies Iowa's statewide preschool program to expand eligibility to include five-year-olds who turn five on or after March 15 but on or before September 15 of the school year, in addition to four-year-olds. It adjusts funding rules so children counted for state funding in prior years cannot be counted again, and updates terminology to refer to "young children" instead of exclusively "four-year-olds." The bill affects school districts operating approved preschool programs, children meeting the new age criteria, and state funding allocations for preschool services. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2027.
HF 2230 modifies Iowa teacher education and licensing rules to better prepare educators for diverse classrooms. Starting July 1, 2027, all teacher preparation programs must include at least 15 practice hours focused on supporting students with disabilities and English learners. Programs seeking English learner endorsements require 40 hours of specific training in teaching English to English learners. The bill also mandates a final assessment before graduation to measure teaching readiness, with the state department publishing program pass rates and support efforts starting in 2028. This directly affects teacher preparation programs, their students (future teachers), and the Board of Educational Examiners.
