HF 272 establishes a tuition reimbursement program for Iowa teachers pursuing an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement. It provides up to 75% of tuition costs (capped at two years) to teachers working in Iowa schools or area education agencies who are obtaining this endorsement. The program requires annual applications, teaching verification, and uses $335,000 in state funding for fiscal year 2025-2026. The College Student Aid Commission administers the program and reports annually on participation and spending.
This bill establishes standardized general education requirements for undergraduate students at Iowa's regents institutions (public universities). It mandates specific course requirements: 6 credit hours each in English composition, world language, math/stats, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, plus 3 credit hours each in western heritage (e.g., Western civilization) and American heritage (e.g., American history), totaling a maximum of 40 semester hours. The bill also prohibits courses teaching identity politics or theories that systemic racism, sexism, or oppression are inherent in U.S. or Iowa institutions, while preserving academic freedom for instructors. It applies to students enrolling at these institutions starting in academic years beginning July 1, 2027.
This bill establishes a School of Intellectual Freedom as an independent academic unit within the University of Iowa's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It requires the school to teach courses on the historical foundations of the American constitutional order, free speech, civil discourse, and responsible leadership, directly affecting university students, faculty, and programming. The bill mandates that all funding (including private donations) be used solely for the school's direct operations, not university-wide costs, and requires the school to develop bylaws emphasizing intellectual diversity and open inquiry. The school will operate under a dean appointed by a board-selected academic council, with annual reports to state officials.
SF 243, the "College Affordability Act," limits annual tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students at Iowa's regents institutions to 3% and requires institutions to freeze tuition for resident students after their first year of enrollment (starting in 2026). It mandates that institutions offer at least one baccalaureate degree program that can be completed in three years by 2027 and establish a "work plus" program where employers cover tuition and fees during part-time employment semesters. The bill also requires the board to notify student governments 30 days before tuition decisions and hold final approval meetings by December 31 of the prior fiscal year. These provisions directly affect in-state undergraduate students at Iowa's public universities.
HF 504 establishes a robotics grant program within Iowa's STEM collaborative initiative to provide funding for school robotics programs. It appropriates $400,000 to offset costs like team stipends, competition fees, kits, and travel for public school districts, nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The bill also allocates $100,000 to the University of Northern Iowa to develop a public-private partnership supporting the Iowa regional FIRST robotics competition. These provisions directly support K-12 robotics education and competition participation through targeted financial assistance.
SF 382 prohibits Iowa public schools and colleges from using mascots, team names, or logos that reference disabilities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act). It requires these institutions to adopt new, non-discriminatory representations by the bill's effective date, with a transition period allowing continued use of existing materials until September 1, 2027, under specific rules. The bill establishes two grant programs: one administered by the Department of Education to help K-12 schools and nonpublic institutions cover costs for changing mascots, and another by the State Board of Regents for public universities, both funded starting July 2025. These grants cover expenses like new signage, uniforms, and materials, with funding ending September 1, 2027.
SF 322 requires all public Iowa colleges and universities offering bachelor's degrees to mandate a 3-credit survey course in American history and civil government for graduation, beginning in the 2027 academic year. The course must cover specific content like the U.S. Constitution, founding documents (including the Declaration of Independence and Federalist Papers), key Supreme Court cases, and the historical development of U.S. government. It must fulfill general education social science requirements and cannot be repeated if a student transfers to another public Iowa institution. This bill directly affects all undergraduate students at public Iowa higher education institutions seeking bachelor's degrees.
HF 136 modifies how Iowa calculates school performance grades by changing the treatment of student dropouts. Specifically, it states that if a student returns to school after dropping out and then drops out again, that second or subsequent dropout will no longer negatively impact the school's performance grade. The bill directly affects Iowa public schools and their accountability ratings, which determine school classifications (like "needs improvement" or "priority") and eligibility for support or recognition. This change is part of the state's school performance profiles, which use metrics like graduation rates, attendance, and college-readiness to evaluate schools under federal and state requirements.
HF 577 would provide Iowa residents attending regents institutions with a full tuition and mandatory fee waiver plus a $5,000 per semester stipend if they score the maximum possible on the ACT, SAT, or Classic Learning Test. To qualify, students must submit score documentation and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. The bill applies specifically to Iowa residents enrolled at the state's regents universities and requires the Board of Regents to administer the program. This policy directly affects high-achieving Iowa students seeking undergraduate education at public universities.
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.
