HF 297 (LSB 2043YH (7) 86)

HOUSE FILE 297

BY  GAINES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the renewal requirements for a standard teaching license.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 272.2, subsection 1, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  Establish the completion of one unit of cultural competency as one of the six units required for renewal of a standard license. For purposes of this paragraph, “cultural competency” means awareness and understanding of the values, lifestyles, history, and contributions of various identifiable cultural groups in 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
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the board of educational examiners to establish the completion of one unit of cultural competency as one of the six units required for renewal of a standard license. For purposes of the bill, “cultural competency” means awareness and understanding of the values, lifestyles, history, and contributions of various identifiable cultural groups in 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.