Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB138

Introduced
2/7/23  
Introduced
2/7/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to assessments required to be administered to students participating in the education savings account program and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Impact

The passage of HSB138 is significant as it would alter how accountability is managed within the education savings account program. By removing the obligation for students to take all state-required assessments, the bill could potentially lead to variations in accountability among students attending nonpublic schools versus those in public schools. Supporters argue that this change offers flexibility in how educational quality is assessed and allows parents to tailor educational opportunities based on their children's needs.

Summary

House Study Bill 138 focuses on the assessment requirements for students enrolled in the newly established education savings account program in Iowa. This program allows parents or guardians of eligible pupils to utilize state funds for educational expenses at nonpublic schools. The bill aims to amend existing statutory requirements regarding the assessments that these students must take. Specifically, it replaces the mandate for these students to participate in all state assessments with a requirement to participate only in applicable state and federally mandated assessments.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding this bill involve concerns about the educational standards and accountability for students in nonpublic schools. Critics argue that reducing assessment requirements could undermine the comparability of educational outcomes between public and nonpublic institutions. They believe that comprehensive assessment is crucial for ensuring that all students receive quality education and for maintaining a level playing field in educational performance metrics across the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF2326

A bill for an act modifying first-time homebuyers savings accounts, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

IA SF2228

A bill for an act relating to school district funding provisions, including reducing the foundation property tax and repealing the education savings account program, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF2737

A bill for an act relating to the education savings account program, including modifying eligibility provisions, providing a future repeal date, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA SF2231

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the protected speech and expression rights of students, modifying provisions related to the duties of the department of education, and modifying eligibility and participation requirements for certain education programs, preschool programs, and tax provisions, providing civil penalties, and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SF 2060.) Effective date: 07/01/2026. Applicability date: 01/01/2026.

IA SF453

A bill for an act relating to school district and area education agency funding and education savings accounts, and including applicability provisions.

IA HSB735

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, financing programs for charter schools and nonpublic schools administered by the Iowa finance authority, the statewide voluntary preschool program for four-year-old children, education savings accounts, the school start date, independent accrediting agencies, teacher training and licensure, and making appropriations, and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 2713, HF 2754.)

IA SF2229

A bill for an act relating to education funding, including the amounts for the statewide preschool program and eligibility for payments under the education savings account program, and including applicability provisions.

IA SF2175

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, financing programs for charter schools and nonpublic schools administered by the Iowa finance authority, the statewide voluntary preschool program for four-year-old children, education savings accounts, the school start date, independent accrediting agencies, teacher training and licensure, and making appropriations, and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 2425, SF 2501.)

IA SF2425

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, financing programs for charter schools and nonpublic schools administered by the Iowa finance authority, the statewide voluntary preschool program for four-year-old children, education savings accounts, independent accrediting agencies, teacher training and licensure, and making appropriations, and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 2175; See SF 2501.)

IA HF187

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to eligibility for payments under the education savings account program, and including effective date provisions.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.