Education (Testing & Assessment)

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 150: A bill for an act prohibiting school districts from using standards-based grading in grades six through twelve.

HF 150 prohibits Iowa public school districts from using standards-based grading for students in grades six through twelve. The bill defines standards-based grading as a method that evaluates students on mastery of specific, smaller learning objectives within subjects, rather than traditional letter grades or points. If passed, school districts would be required to switch to alternative grading systems for middle and high school students. The bill is currently under review by the education subcommittee after being introduced in January 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits standards-based grading method for middle/high schools, restricting educational practice and mandating alternative systems per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SSB 1030: A bill for an act requiring students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school graduation and high school equivalency diplomas.

This bill requires all Iowa high school students in grades 9-12 to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) civics test with at least 60% accuracy as a condition for graduating high school or earning a high school equivalency diploma. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, public and accredited nonpublic schools must administer the test, which consists of multiple-choice questions from the USCIS naturalization civics test, without charging students any fees. Students who fail may retake the test as many times as needed to achieve the required score. The law applies to all students seeking these diplomas, not just non-citizens, and mandates the state board of education to create implementing rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates civics test as graduation requirement, directly enhancing curriculum standards for K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SSB 1092: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to mathematics instruction, civics assessments, practitioner preparation programs, and the duties of the director of the department of education.

This bill (SSB 1092) updates Iowa's education laws to strengthen mathematics instruction and civics education. It requires all K-6 students to be assessed in math three times yearly using approved screeners, with schools providing targeted interventions for students consistently below benchmark. For civics, it mandates that high school students (grades 9-12) pass a standardized test (requiring 60% correct answers) to graduate, using a test based on the U.S. citizenship civics exam. The bill directly affects school districts, teachers, and students, adding new duties for the education director to develop math plans and distribute resources. It also modifies teacher training programs to include specific math competency requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates stronger math assessments for K-6 and civics graduation requirement (60% pass), directly strengthening curriculum standards and student accountability in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SF 280: A bill for an act relating to students who attend a course in religious instruction that is provided by a private organization, including by modifying provisions related to compulsory education and chronic absenteeism and allowing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to awarding academic credit for the completion of a course in religious instruction.

SF 280 allows public school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to create policies enabling students to earn academic credit for completing religious instruction courses provided by private organizations. The bill requires schools to evaluate such courses based on instructional hours, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content or denominational affiliation - while prohibiting absences for these courses from counting toward chronic absenteeism (defined as exceeding 10% of school days). It also mandates that parents notify schools in advance, limits religious instruction absences to five hours weekly, requires private organizations to maintain attendance records, and ensures students make up missed schoolwork. Schools must comply with these requirements when adopting related policies under Section 279.87.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows academic credit for religious instruction courses, expanding educational access and options for students under defined evaluation criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2025

HSB 137: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to mathematics instruction, civics assessments, practitioner preparation programs, and the duties of the director of the department of education.

This Iowa bill (HSB 137) modifies education requirements for K-12 schools, directly affecting public, nonpublic, charter, and innovation zone schools, along with teachers and students. It requires schools to administer math screeners three times yearly for K-6 students, identify those "persistently at risk" (scoring below benchmark twice), and provide weekly progress checks with personalized intervention plans. For civics, it mandates using the U.S. citizenship test (60% passing score) for high school graduation, with accommodations for students with disabilities. The bill also establishes a state math plan focused on foundational concepts like counting and number sense, and requires teacher training in evidence-based math instruction methods.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationImposes mandatory testing (math screeners, civics assessments) and intervention requirements on schools without funding, restricting curriculum flexibility and increasing administrative burden.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 868: A bill for an act providing for a study of establishing an institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents in Pottawattamie county or a contiguous county.

HF 868 requires Iowa's Department of Education to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a state-regulated institution of higher education (offering undergraduate and graduate programs) in Pottawattamie County or a neighboring county. The study must evaluate potential locations, propose tentative timelines for establishment, and analyze key requirements for implementation. The department may consult with relevant agencies and stakeholders, and must submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2025. This bill does not create the institution but mandates a formal assessment to inform future decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates feasibility study for new state-regulated higher education institution, aiming to expand educational access in Pottawattamie County.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 520: A bill for an act relating to social studies instruction, including instruction in United States government, provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and including applicability provisions.

HF 520 increases Iowa's required social studies curriculum for grades 9-12 by mandating one full unit of United States government instruction (up from one-half unit), replacing the current standard. It requires all students in public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to complete this instruction, which must cover voting procedures, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, and civics. The bill also specifies that U.S. government instruction must include an assessment of students' knowledge of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. This requirement applies to all affected schools starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased U.S. government curriculum (1 unit vs 0.5) covering Constitution and civics for all high schools, strengthening civic education standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SSB 1222: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents.

SSB 1222 is an appropriations bill that allocates $3.2 million for the Department for the Blind and $7.3 million for general education administration in Iowa for fiscal year 2025-2026. It funds specific programs including $1.7 million for birth-to-three early childhood services, $574,500 for Early Head Start pilot projects, $9.6 million for Jobs for America’s Graduates school programs, and $1.9 million for early literacy assessment systems. The bill directs funds toward operational needs like salaries, school food programs, career training, and statewide student assessments, with requirements for annual reporting on antibullying programming. It directly affects Iowa’s public education system, students from birth through high school, and schools receiving state funding. This is a routine funding measure, not a policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3.2M for Department for the Blind and $7.3M for education admin, funding specific programs like early childhood services and literacy systems, advancing education budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $3.2M for Department for the Blind, $7.3M general education admin, and specific programs including early childhood services, literacy systems, and career education initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1231: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.

SSB 1231 is an appropriations bill that allocates state general funds to various components of the education system for the fiscal year 2025-2026. It provides funding for the operations of the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. Key provisions include appropriations for general administration, career and technical education, school food services, early childhood programs such as Birth to Age Three Services and Early Head Start, and statewide student assessment. The bill also directs the Department of Education to submit a report on its antibullying programming.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to education departments and programs, directly supporting public service funding through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to education departments, early childhood programs, and career education, directly supporting system operations and student services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood School Funding Testing & Assessment

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died · Iowa · House May 13, 2025

HF 1045: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.

HF 1045 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to various parts of the education system for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. It provides funding for the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents. Key provisions include specific appropriations for programs such as career and technical education, early childhood services like Birth to Age Three and Early Head Start projects, and initiatives supporting student assessment and work-based learning. The bill also mandates a report from the Department of Education on antibullying programming.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to education departments and programs, directly advancing budgetary support for public education services per appropriations language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funds for K-12 education (career tech, early childhood programs), Department of Education, and State Board of Regents per appropriations language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Testing & Assessment

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