Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SSB 3109: A bill for an act requiring school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide success-sequence education in grades seven through twelve.

This bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to incorporate "success-sequence education" into grades 7-12 curricula. It defines this instruction as covering evidence-based milestones (like earning a high school diploma, securing full-time employment, and marriage) and research on marriage benefits and outcomes for children of divorced parents. The content must be included in social studies for grades 7-8 and in health education/personal finance for grades 9-12. The bill specifies that existing state school foundation aid funds will cover implementation costs, with no additional state funding required.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific curriculum content on marriage/divorce research, restricting academic freedom in education curricula as required by law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2311: A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

SF 2311 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction - integrated into existing courses - cover specific topics including the Holocaust's causes, history of antisemitism, U.S. military roles in defeating Nazi Germany, and connections to modern discrimination. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics as part of professional development, using resources from approved organizations like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on district compliance to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust curriculum integration into K-12, enhancing historical education and teacher training requirements per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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introduced · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2528: A bill for an act modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence.

HF 2528 requires Iowa's workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education to address cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. It mandates K-12 public schools to develop cyber/AI literacy standards, establishes partnerships between colleges and private industry for internships and degree programs, and creates a grant program for training (subject to funding). The bill also directs the state board to set statewide education standards, create a voluntary school certification program for AI/cyber compliance, and requires the education department to launch a community awareness initiative with digital resources and targeted outreach for groups like seniors and law enforcement. These provisions directly affect Iowa students, educators, schools, and professionals seeking career transitions in cyber/AI fields.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-12 cyber/AI literacy standards, creates college-industry partnerships, and establishes grants for tech education training - directly enhancing curriculum and workforce readiness.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cyber/AI literacy standards in K-12, creates industry partnerships for tech workforce training, and establishes grant programs for AI/cyber education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SF 2224: A bill for an act relating to computer science education, including by modifying provisions related to standards for computer science education, the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and practitioner preparation programs, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2224 requires all Iowa public high schools (grades 9-12) to include artificial intelligence fundamentals in computer science courses, mandating instruction on what AI is, how it works, and its societal impacts. It updates graduation requirements to mandate a half-unit of computer science starting in 2022, allowing schools to fulfill part of this requirement through applied science, technology, engineering, or manufacturing courses. The bill also adds new standards for teacher preparation programs, requiring future educators to complete training in AI and computational thinking relevant to their grade level. These changes apply to all Iowa public schools and teacher training institutions, directly affecting students, educators, and curriculum developers. The law modifies existing education codes (sections 256.7, 256.11, and 256.16) to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI fundamentals in high school CS curriculum and updates graduation requirements to strengthen computer science education standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI fundamentals in high school CS curriculum, requiring instruction on AI's societal impacts, advancing tech education and digital literacy standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2324: A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering into certain specified contracts with public libraries and hosting mobile libraries.

HF 2324 prohibits Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from entering agreements with public libraries that let students use school-issued ID cards to access library materials. It also bans these schools from allowing mobile libraries (vehicles owned/operated by public libraries that transport books) to host events on school property where students can check out books. The bill defines "public library" as city-established libraries or library districts, and "mobile library" as a vehicle used to transport educational materials. These restrictions apply directly to all K-12 schools in Iowa seeking to collaborate with public libraries or host mobile library services. The law aims to prevent specific types of partnerships between schools and public libraries.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits school access to library resources via student IDs and mobile libraries, limiting student educational access and collaboration with public libraries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2652: A bill for an act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.

HF 2652 requires Iowa schools serving preschool through kindergarten to incorporate specific amounts of play-based learning into daily instruction. It mandates at least 90 minutes of play-based learning per half school day and 180 minutes per full day for prekindergarten programs, and at least 45 minutes daily for kindergarten programs. The bill defines "play-based learning" as child-directed activities promoting development through play, excluding recess or physical education. This applies to all public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools offering these grades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific play-based learning time in early education curriculum, advancing developmental teaching methods for preschool/kindergarten programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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vetoed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 2299: A bill for an act relating to the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.

This bill requires students (or their parents/guardians if minors) to reimburse school districts for community college courses taken through concurrent enrollment programs if the student fails the course. Specifically, if a student fails a class offered by a community college or taught by its instructor, the school district can request payment equal to the amount it paid the college for that specific course. The policy applies to high school students enrolled in Iowa's district-to-community college sharing program, which allows them to earn college credits while in high school. This change modifies existing rules under Code section 261E.8 to shift the financial responsibility for failed courses back to the student or family.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationImposes financial penalty for course failure, restricting access to concurrent enrollment programs by creating disincentive for students to participate.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2241: A bill for an act relating to charter school requirements, including reporting requirements, governance standards, financial accountability, and oversight by the state board of education.

This bill (SF 2241) sets new requirements for Iowa charter schools, directly affecting charter schools and their relationships with school districts. Key provisions include limiting charter schools to one per 10,000 students statewide per grade level (elementary/middle/high), mandating that governing boards include at least 50% parents of enrolled students and a school district representative, and requiring detailed annual reports on student enrollment, withdrawals, finances (including management fees), and academic performance. Charter schools must also comply with public fund restrictions and assessment reporting similar to traditional public schools. The state board of education will develop oversight standards to monitor academic, financial, and operational performance, with enhanced monitoring for underperforming schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts charter school expansion (1 per 10k students) and imposes strict governance/oversight requirements, limiting their growth in the education system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SF 2060: A bill for an act relating to eligibility standards for certain education programs and tax provisions based on religious or sectarian use or purpose, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's education and tax laws to ensure public funding for educational programs excludes religious instruction. It defines "property" to exclude facilities used for sectarian teaching, worship, or religious training, and requires courses for high school students taking college credit to be nonsectarian. School districts must verify comparable nonreligious courses aren't available before allowing students to enroll in eligible college courses at community colleges. Textbook funding for nonpublic schools must be for nonreligious materials, and districts must annually approve courses for academic rigor. The bill affects public school districts, community colleges, and accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts public funding for religious instruction by modifying tax laws, excluding sectarian facilities and requiring nonsectarian courses. This defunds religious use of public funds, directly limiting government spending per tax provisions.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts public funding for religious instruction in education programs, excluding sectarian use from tax provisions and requiring nonsectarian courses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2062: A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the protected speech and expression rights of students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools and the duties of the department of education, and providing civil penalties.

SF 2062 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to annually distribute federal guidance on religious expression rights to all staff, develop training programs about protected speech, and adopt model policies to comply with federal standards. It prohibits schools from discriminating against students for religious, political, or ideological speech in classrooms, clubs, homework, or attire, ensuring equal treatment to other student expression. Schools failing to comply face civil penalties of at least $5,000 per violation, with students or clubs able to sue for enforcement. The bill applies to all public K-12 schools in Iowa and mandates annual policy certifications to the state education department.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to protect student speech rights, prohibits discrimination in expression, aligns with strengthening educational freedom and access per bill's mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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