Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve and the educational programs provided by the institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, and requiring education related to the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.(See HF 2510.)

Subcommittee members: Boden-CH, Kurth, Stone

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Location: RM 19

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

02-10-2026

Mike Cormack

I am a former four term member of the Republican House Caucus and am disappointed in this legislation. I am in my 16th year as a Social Studies Instructor and to the very best of my knowledge, never have had a single complaint about the content I teach or my manner of delivery. I believe in using primary sources, being neutral and being factual in my instruction. This legislation is tilted rightward and I would have the same objections if Des Moines had a one size fits all from a leftward perspective, too.Some objections:A) Would the legislators try to write a year or semester set of lesson plans that would have the time for this? The time element is unwieldly.B) Naming who are admirable Americans is silly. Why are some names in and others out. These five names are fine but why them and not others. Why put any names at all?C) This bill is not age appropriate (5th grade NW Ordinance) and may conflict with existing requirements as I read it for the same age.Modify or vote no.

02-11-2026

Catherine Mein

It is disheartening to see this legislation again, two years later. It is discouraging that the work of the social studies professionals from who worked on the rewriting and revision process of the recently adopted social studies standards, at the specific behest of the Legislature and the Governor, is now being summarily dismissed by legislators who lack the licensure, the education, the content knowledge, and the pedagogical practice which was brought to the revision process. Iowa's students deserve the very best education that the state can provide, and relying on a politicized curriculum like that of the CivicsAlliance.org will not serve the future best interests of our children, nor our state. The flaws in the legislation are substantial, and I have noted them in the attached document. The PSA that keeps playing in my mind is that knowledge is power, and this legislation will deny our students knowledge.

Attachment