Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 13, 2026

HF 2005: A bill for an act providing for education related to the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

HF 2005 requires Iowa public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate Holocaust education into middle and high school curricula by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that this instruction cover the causes and consequences of the Holocaust, the history of antisemitism, resistance efforts, and the role of U.S. military forces - including African American, Native American, and Asian American soldiers - in defeating Nazi Germany. School districts must also provide teacher training on these topics as part of professional development, using approved resources like the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Department of Education will annually report on which districts implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust curriculum inclusion and teacher training, enhancing historical education content for students per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SSB 3049: A bill for an act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans.

This bill (SSB 3049) updates Iowa's career education framework to better align high school programs with workforce needs. It requires the state workforce board to create a statewide list of high-demand jobs, while allowing community colleges to add up to five regional high-demand job listings for local program planning. The bill modifies career academy requirements to ensure they include articulated postsecondary coursework, improves credit transfer between community colleges and four-year institutions for career programs, and expands funding for high school students (grades 9-12) to take college-level classes through concurrent enrollment. These changes directly affect high school students, community colleges, school districts, and the state workforce development board by strengthening career pathways and college credit access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates career education framework to align with workforce needs, requires statewide high-demand job lists, and improves credit transfer between institutions, strengthening educational pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 1, 2026

HF 2231: A bill for an act establishing a seal of civics excellence program administered by the department of education to recognize student excellence in civics.

HF 2231 establishes Iowa's "Seal of Civics Excellence" program administered by the Department of Education. It recognizes high school students who demonstrate civics proficiency through knowledge of American government and participation in community activities. Schools may voluntarily participate, and the Department will determine requirements, create a seal (like a sticker for transcripts or a certificate), and require it to be affixed to diplomas. The program is voluntary for schools, with the Department potentially charging a small fee for printing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary civics recognition program to enhance student engagement in government education, strengthening curriculum development and student achievement in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5497XD: Concurrent Enrollment and Career and Academic Planning (5497XD) - Education, Department of

This bill establishes a statewide list of high-demand jobs to guide workforce programs like apprenticeships and scholarships, while allowing community colleges to identify up to five regional high-demand jobs for local career planning. It updates career academy requirements to ensure they are career-focused, include articulated postsecondary pathways, and require director approval. The bill also adjusts school funding weights for high school students taking community college courses (with higher weighting for career/technical courses) and mandates community colleges to create statewide agreements for seamless transfer of career-technical credits to four-year universities without arbitrary limits. These changes directly affect high school students, community colleges, school districts, and career academies across Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts school funding weights for high school students taking community college courses and updates career academies to include postsecondary pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5496XD: Gifted and Talented Programs (5496XD) - Education, Department of

This bill requires Iowa school districts to develop standardized procedures for identifying and serving gifted and talented students (K-12) using multiple data sources like assessments, teacher input, and observations - ensuring no single criterion blocks participation. It mandates districts to create an "advanced mathematics pathway" that automatically enrolls students scoring "advanced" in math (grades 5-7) in accelerated courses, aiming to have all students complete algebra I by grade nine. Additionally, districts must establish clear procedures for subject and grade acceleration, automatically enrolling high-performing students in advanced courses (with parent opt-out) and providing support for learning gaps. The bill directly affects all Iowa public school districts and gifted students, particularly those historically underrepresented in advanced programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized gifted identification and creates advanced math pathway, expanding access to accelerated programs for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HSB 219: A bill for an act relating to mathematics instruction, including by requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to develop an advanced mathematics pathway that is designed to enable students to succeed in courses related to algebra in grade eight.

This bill requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to create an "advanced mathematics pathway" designed to prepare students for algebra in eighth grade. It mandates automatic enrollment for students scoring at grade level or higher on math assessments in grades 5-7, or demonstrating proficiency through grades/rank, unless parents opt out. Schools must provide specific supports like tutoring and small-group instruction, and report annually on course offerings, student participation, and demographic data. The policy directly affects middle school students and school districts by restructuring math course access and requiring transparency in enrollment and outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates advanced math pathways, automatic enrollment for proficient students, and required supports to strengthen algebra readiness in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SF 265: A bill for an act implementing requirements related to organizations that sponsor or administer extracurricular interscholastic athletics, including the creation of a conference realignment committee.

SF 265 creates a conference realignment committee to oversee changes in high school athletic conferences across Iowa. Starting July 1, 2025, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools must get the committee’s approval before switching conferences, and the committee must consider factors like enrollment, travel distance, and traditional rivalries. Schools must also offer both boys’ and girls’ sports in all seasons to remain in conferences, and schools withdrawing without approval face a two-year competition ban. The bill directly affects all Iowa public schools and accredited nonpublic schools participating in state athletic associations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires gender equity in school sports programs, enhancing student access to extracurricular activities within education topic60% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1461XD: Career Education, Development and Industry Credentials (1461XD) - Education, Department of

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Education to create and maintain a list of industry-recognized credentials (like job certifications) for high school students (grades 9-12) aligned with career and technical education programs. School districts must report students who earn these credentials and recognize them by affixing a state-developed seal to high school transcripts or providing a certificate with the seal. It also updates middle school curricula to include career planning in grades 5-6 and career exploration in grades 7-8, focusing on local job opportunities and career pathways. The policy directly affects Iowa public school students, districts, and the Department of Education, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires career credentials in curriculum, recognizes industry certs on transcripts, expands student career pathways through K-12 integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HSB 44: A bill for an act relating to career education, including middle school career exploration and industry-recognized credential seals and certificates for high school students.

This bill requires Iowa public schools to create a list of industry-recognized credentials for high school students (grades 9-12) aligned with career pathways, and develop a transcript seal for students earning these credentials. It mandates career exploration in middle school (grades 5-6 and 7-8) through curriculum including career investigation and connections, helping students plan their academic paths. School districts must confidentially report student credential attainment to the education department and apply the seal to transcripts or issue a certificate for qualifying graduates. The policy directly affects Iowa public school students, districts, and the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career exploration in middle school and industry-recognized credentials for high school students, enhancing curriculum and student program access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2025

HF 215: A bill for an act relating to child sexual abuse and child sexual assault awareness and prevention.

HF 215 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse and assault awareness education to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It mandates schools to develop and distribute materials for parents covering topics like recognizing unsafe touch, internet safety, and reporting resources, and to incorporate model guidelines into K-6 curricula. The bill also establishes continuing education requirements for educators on prevention topics and specifies that school districts will fund implementation using existing state foundation aid. This legislation directly affects all K-6 students and schools across Iowa by creating standardized prevention education and resource materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates K-6 safety curriculum integration, parent materials, and educator training, directly enhancing educational content and student protection within school programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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