Iowa's SSB 3004 requires the Department of Workforce Development to create an online platform connecting Iowa students with professionals for career exploration. The platform allows educators at participating schools to request virtual sessions with professionals matching students' interests and classroom needs, enabling students to explore careers from their classrooms. Key features include matching professionals' skills to curriculum, hosting live Q&A sessions, sharing recorded industry videos, and allowing industry groups to sponsor school participation. This directly affects Iowa public school students, educators, and professionals seeking to engage with youth.
Iowa's HSB 610 requires all public and accredited nonpublic high schools to include one semester of computer science as a graduation requirement for students graduating in the 2030-2031 school year and beyond. The bill mandates that computer science courses must cover fundamental concepts of evolving technologies and artificial intelligence - including how AI works, its societal impact, and ethical considerations - starting in the 2022-2023 school year for a half-unit requirement. The state must publish a list of approved computer science courses by June 2027 and create a plan to expand teacher capacity, especially for small schools (under 500 students in grades 9-12). This directly affects Iowa high school students, educators, and school districts implementing new graduation standards.
This bill prohibits Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) from requiring courses containing content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory in general education programs. It specifically bans material promoting ideas like systemic racism, race-based privilege, or differential treatment based on race, and lists topics such as "systemic racism," "implicit bias," or "intersectionality" as prohibited. The state board of regents must establish this policy and review all general education curricula by December 2026, removing any required courses that include prohibited content. The law directly affects undergraduate students and faculty at Iowa's public universities by restricting mandatory course content in foundational education requirements.
This bill modifies Iowa's high school curriculum requirements by allowing technology, engineering, or manufacturing courses to count toward the half-unit computer science credit required for grades 9-12. It specifically permits schools to use dedicated coursework or combined courses (that also meet career-technical education standards) to fulfill this requirement. The change applies to all public school districts, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa. The state board of education must create implementing rules, and the policy takes effect for the 2022 school year.
This bill requires all Iowa public and nonpublic high schools to include one semester of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education in their graduation requirements, beginning with the 2030-2031 graduating class. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, schools must offer AI and computer science courses meeting state standards that cover AI concepts, ethics, societal impact, and foundational skills. The bill also mandates a statewide plan for teacher training by 2027, especially for smaller schools, and establishes online course options for districts. Additionally, it modifies science and math graduation units to allow limited AI instruction to count toward requirements.
This bill establishes a statewide common course numbering system for Iowa community colleges to improve transfer consistency, requiring standardized course codes, equivalent course identification, and use across all catalogs and transcripts by 2027. It mandates that all Iowa community colleges replace traditional remedial math and English courses with a corequisite model (supporting students in credit-bearing courses) by the 2028-2029 academic year. Additionally, it requires K-12 students to complete sequential coursework in multiple career and technical education (CTE) content areas (like health sciences, business, or manufacturing) to prepare for high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations. The bill directly affects Iowa community colleges, K-12 schools, and students by standardizing transfer pathways and aligning CTE programs with workforce needs.
SF 2003 prohibits Iowa public school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from offering any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction related to gender theory or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve. The bill amends existing education laws to extend a current prohibition (previously limited to grades K-6) to cover all middle and high school students. Key mechanisms require schools to comply with this restriction when developing or implementing human growth and development instruction, including health education standards. The policy change directly affects school curricula and instructional materials in the specified grades.
HF 2236 modifies Iowa's tuition grants program to expand eligibility for students at accredited private colleges and universities. It revises definitions to include "accredited private institutions" in key sections, ensuring these schools qualify for state financial aid programs like the Iowa Tuition Grant and teacher shortage loan programs. The bill also requires institutions to post required textbook lists online 14 days before each term and creates a new teacher shortage forgivable loan program for students in designated teacher shortage areas. These changes directly affect students attending private colleges, public institutions, and community colleges participating in Iowa's state aid programs.
HF 2116 requires Iowa public schools and colleges to ensure all staff, contractors, and volunteers providing curriculum or training avoid teaching, promoting, or acting on stereotyping or scapegoating based on race, gender, or other demographic group identity. It mandates training for these individuals on the policy and prohibits using school funds, resources, or student time for any materials violating this rule. Parents, school employees, or residents can seek court orders to stop violations without proving personal harm. The bill updates existing education codes to clarify these requirements and enforcement mechanisms.
This bill requires Iowa high schools (grades 9-12) to increase mandated U.S. government instruction from half a unit to one full unit as part of social studies requirements. It specifically mandates teaching voting procedures, ballot systems, absentee voting, and the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The policy applies to all public school districts, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools starting with the 2028-2029 school year. The change builds on existing requirements but expands the depth and scope of civic education content.
