Education

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3041: A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to excusing student absences for 4-H club or FFA activities.

This bill requires all Iowa public school districts, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies that automatically excuse student absences for participation in 4-H club or FFA activities. Schools must grant excused absences when students miss class for these programs and allow them to make up any missed work. The policy applies to all students involved in 4-H or FFA-sponsored activities or projects, ensuring consistent support for agricultural education participation. It directly affects school boards and administrators responsible for attendance policies. The law mandates these specific requirements without adding new exceptions or altering existing attendance rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates excused absences for 4-H/FFA participation, directly enhancing student access to agricultural education programs and ensuring consistent support for educational activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5555XD: Deposit of Public Funds, Requirements (5555XD) - Treasurer of State

This bill amends Iowa's definition of "qualified education expenses" for state educational savings plans. It aligns the definition with specific sections of the federal Internal Revenue Code, explicitly including elementary and secondary school tuition, apprenticeship program costs (registered with the U.S. Labor Department), and qualified education loan payments. The change directly affects Iowa residents using the state's educational savings plans (like 529 plans) by expanding eligible expenses to cover more education-related costs under federal tax rules. The bill removes an outdated reference to a specific IRS amendment while ensuring state plan rules match current federal definitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged education expenses under state savings plans, aligning with federal tax code to provide broader tax relief for education costs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands eligible expenses for state education savings plans to include K-12 tuition and apprenticeship costs, directly enhancing educational access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 27, 2026

HF 2051: A bill for an act providing for supplementary weighting for school districts that share school and career specialists.

HF 2051 adds "school and career specialists" to the list of positions school districts can share with other entities (like other districts or political subdivisions) to qualify for extra state funding. It directly affects Iowa school districts that share these specialists for at least 20% of the school year. The key provision assigns each shared school and career specialist role a supplementary weighting equivalent to funding for two additional students, increasing resources for districts that collaborate on these services. This policy targets specialists who support at-risk students with career planning, life skills, and postsecondary transitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding for school districts by adding supplementary weighting for shared specialists, directly advancing school finance appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases school funding via supplementary weighting for shared specialists, directly advancing resource allocation for K-12 districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HSB 547: A bill for an act regarding student admission factors to regents universities.

This bill, HSB 547 (the "Admissions Reform Act"), would require Iowa's regents universities to include the "classic learning test" as an additional standardized test option in their admission index (RAI) starting before the 2026-2027 academic year, alongside ACT/SAT scores. It also mandates that by December 31, 2026, the state board of regents adopt a policy limiting admission considerations for students who do not qualify under the RAI to only "merit" and "likelihood of employment in Iowa after graduation." The RAI currently combines ACT/SAT scores, high school GPA, and core course completion to assess applicant readiness. This bill directly affects regents universities and prospective students applying to these institutions, particularly those not meeting the RAI criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds 'classic learning test' as optional admission factor for universities, expanding student pathway options (supports educational access in higher education).85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2124: A bill for an act modifying the duties of the department of education related to electronic systems.

HF 2124 requires Iowa's Department of Education to create and oversee a single statewide electronic data system for all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and area education agencies. The system must standardize data reporting, protect student/staff privacy, allow seamless transfer of student records between schools, and work with existing school software. It also mandates the Department modernize its own electronic systems by July 2027, including a new portal for schools to validate data, check enrollments, and access real-time reporting tools. This bill directly affects all Iowa schools and the Department of Education by centralizing data management and improving system interoperability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized data system for schools, improving administrative efficiency and student record transfers, strengthening education department operations.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires statewide data system with privacy protections and system modernization, aligning with data privacy and cybersecurity support indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SSB 3006: A bill for an act providing for career development information for students newly enrolling in institutions of higher education and including applicability provisions.

SSB 3006 requires Iowa colleges and universities to schedule a career development meeting for all newly enrolled undergraduate students during their first semester or orientation. During this meeting, students must review their work history, interests, and potential career paths tied to their major or interests, while also receiving information on internships, jobs, and resume resources. Institutions must also provide written materials detailing local job availability, pay ranges, high-demand occupations, and high-paying careers in Iowa that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. The law applies to first-time students enrolling on or after July 1, 2026, and covers both state-regulated institutions and private schools serving students with Iowa tuition grants.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career development meetings for new students, linking education to workforce opportunities and enhancing student support services in higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SSB 3027: A bill for an act relating to the definition of qualified education expenses.

This bill updates Iowa's definition of "qualified education expenses" for its educational savings plans to align with current federal Internal Revenue Code standards. It specifically includes elementary and secondary school tuition (under IRS section 529(c)(7)), apprenticeship program costs, and qualified education loan payments for beneficiaries or their siblings. The change directly affects Iowans using state savings plans for education expenses, ensuring eligibility matches federal guidelines. The bill is procedural, simplifying Iowa's legal reference without altering policy benefits or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands qualified education expenses to include K-12 tuition and apprenticeships, increasing access to state savings plans aligned with federal standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SF 2007: A bill for an act relating to school districts that share the operational functions of a school resource officer, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2007 increases the supplementary funding weight for Iowa school districts that share the operational functions of a school resource officer with a political subdivision (such as a city or county) for at least 20% of the school year. The bill raises the weight from two to five pupils per shared function, providing additional state funding to eligible districts to redirect resources toward student programming. This change applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects school districts meeting the sharing criteria. The policy clarifies that districts may qualify for this increased funding even if the shared functions differ between the district and the political subdivision.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for school districts by raising supplementary weight from 2 to 5 pupils per shared resource officer function, directing funds toward student programming.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state funding for school districts sharing resource officers, redirecting resources to student programming via higher supplementary funding weight (2→5 pupils).95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SF 2018: A bill for an act relating to special education, including by requiring accredited nonpublic schools to provide special education services to students enrolled in the school who require such services and modifying the responsibilities of area education agencies, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2018 requires accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa to directly provide special education services to students with disabilities enrolled in those schools, including identifying needs, developing written plans similar to federal Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and employing licensed staff. Previously, area education agencies provided these services, but the bill shifts this responsibility to nonpublic schools, which must now cover all associated costs and cannot use agency funding for this purpose. The bill ensures students in nonpublic schools receive services comparable to those in public schools, while area education agencies must continue making such services available in the same manner. These changes align with federal special education requirements and update how services are delivered to students in nonpublic settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accredited nonpublic schools to directly provide special education services, including IEPs and licensed staff, ensuring student access to required support without relying on agency funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 543: A bill for an act relating to general education requirements, core curricula, other functions of regents institutions, and including applicability provisions.

This bill requires Iowa regents institutions to mandate that all undergraduate students complete introductory survey courses in American history and American government, each worth at least three semester hours of credit. These courses must fulfill general education requirements in social sciences or humanities and cannot focus exclusively on subgroups of Americans. The requirement applies to students starting at these institutions in academic years beginning July 1, 2028, and excludes students in designated three-year degree programs. The centers for civic education at Iowa’s three regents universities must annually designate qualifying courses to meet this standard.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates required courses in American history/government to strengthen core curriculum standards, aligning with educational policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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