SF 206 allows Iowa school districts to use revenues from their district management levy to fund teacher recruitment and retention incentives. The bill sets specific limits: incentives cannot exceed 10% of an initial teacher's salary annually and must end after five school budget years. School districts may choose between this program or early retirement benefits, but cannot use both simultaneously or within five years of adopting the other. It requires public comment before adoption and prohibits using levy funds for early retirement costs in the same fiscal year as recruitment/retention incentives. This directly affects school districts seeking to address teacher staffing challenges through financial incentives.
SF 72 establishes a program to reimburse Iowa teachers up to 75% of tuition costs for obtaining a specialized dyslexia certification (an "advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement"). Teachers must work in Iowa schools or area education agencies while pursuing this certification and submit annual applications with proof of employment. The program provides two payments: 50% after the first year of teaching and the remaining 50% after the second year, with a maximum of two years of reimbursement per teacher. It is funded by a $335,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026, with unused funds carrying over to future years.
HF 33 creates an Iowa Department of Education grant program to expand access to agriculture, food, and natural resources education for high school students (grades 9-12). School districts can apply for grants covering up to 100% of teacher costs for up to 60 days of additional instruction in new agriculture programs (under 10 years old), or 50% for established programs. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing district funding for similar purposes and will be tracked through a statewide system. The bill establishes a permanent state fund for these grants, with unused balances carrying over annually.
HF 422 establishes quality standards for Iowa's statewide voluntary preschool program (SVPP), directly affecting school districts, early childhood providers, and families with preschool-aged children. The bill requires programs to meet specific standards including teacher-child ratios, student learning goals, parent involvement, and collaboration with families and community partners like Head Start and childcare centers. It mandates 5-year program renewals and clarifies that state preschool funding can cover staff training, materials, and transportation but cannot be used for facility construction. The bill also requires programs to demonstrate ongoing community partnerships and integrates children from other preschool programs with parental consent.
This bill requires Iowa's legislature to set two specific budget growth percentages during the first regular session of each general assembly: the "state percent of growth" (a statewide funding rate) and the "categorical state percent of growth" (a rate for specific education programs like teacher supplements and transportation aid). For the 2022-2024 budget years, it fixes these rates at 2.5% or 3% as specified, and mandates that future rates be set within 30 days after the governor submits the budget. After initial setting, the legislature may only increase - never decrease - these percentages for the second budget year covered. The bill directly affects state budget planning for education funding and requires these rates to be established for two consecutive budget years.
HF 262 creates a budget adjustment for Iowa school districts that face higher actual costs than their current teacher salary funding covers. Specifically, districts would receive state funds if their costs (including retirement contributions and taxes) exceed existing teacher salary supplements for roles like classroom teachers, counselors, nurses, and teacher leadership positions. Districts must formally request this adjustment annually and spend the funds solely on teacher salaries within the same year. The bill aims to help districts comply with minimum salary requirements without creating budget shortfalls.
HF 252 requires Iowa's approved teacher preparation programs to incorporate computer science, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking training tailored to the grade level and subject a future teacher will instruct. This requirement takes effect for students admitted on or after July 1, 2026, and allows colleges to meet it through a dedicated course, module, or by integrating the content into existing programs. The state board of regents must provide guidance to all higher education institutions on implementing these changes. The bill directly affects future teachers in Iowa by updating their training requirements to include foundational digital literacy skills.
HF 253 requires Iowa high school students graduating in 2029 or later to complete one semester of computer science coursework to meet graduation requirements, which may include classes taken in eighth grade. The bill modifies existing science and math graduation rules to allow up to one unit of computer science to count toward those requirements. School districts must report annually on computer science course offerings, teacher certifications, and student enrollment, while allowing limited waivers for implementation challenges. The law also establishes standards for computer science courses and teacher authorizations to ensure quality instruction.
HF 336 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates instruction covering the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, historical antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the U.S. role in defeating Nazi Germany, including contributions by diverse military groups. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics through professional development programs using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Iowa Department of Education will annually report on school district compliance. This law applies to all public school districts in Iowa and uses existing state funding without requiring new appropriations.
This bill modifies Iowa's education funding and teacher policies. It establishes a tiered system grouping school districts by enrollment size to calculate teacher salary supplement costs, ensuring districts meet minimum salary requirements ($50,000 starting, $62,000 for 12+ years' experience) and related retirement/insurance costs. It also requires 80 hours of pre-student teaching field experience for new teacher candidates and sets new criteria for out-of-state placements of students needing special education, requiring state department approvals. The changes directly affect school districts, teacher preparation programs, and students with special education needs.
