HF 2412 (LSB 5953HH (3) 84)

HOUSE FILE 2412

BY  ABDUL-SAMAD and GAINES

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for a teacher licensure renewal requirement relating to cultural competency training.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 272.2, subsection 1, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  Establish as a renewal requirement for a standard license the completion of one unit of cultural competency. For purposes of this paragraph, “cultural competency” means awareness and understanding of the values, lifestyles, history, and contributions of various identifiable cultural groups in our society; recognizing and dealing with dehumanizing biases such as sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination and raising awareness of the impact that such biases have on interpersonal relations; recognizing the ways in which dehumanizing biases may be reflected in instructional materials; and acquiring strategies to manage students from different cultures in a classroom setting.
EXPLANATION
   This bill directs the board of educational examiners to establish as a renewal requirement for a standard license the completion of one unit of cultural competency. For purposes of the bill, “cultural competency” means awareness and understanding of the values, lifestyles, history, and contributions of various identifiable cultural groups in our society; recognizing and dealing with dehumanizing biases such as sexism, racism, prejudice, and discrimination and raising awareness of the impact that such biases have on interpersonal relations; recognizing the ways in which dehumanizing biases may be reflected in instructional materials; and acquiring strategies to manage students from different cultures in a classroom setting.