HF 2652 (LSB 1832HV (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2652

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 460)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.11, subsection 1, paragraphs a and b, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   a.  If a school offers a prekindergarten program, the program shall be designed to help children to work and play with others, to express themselves, to learn to use and manage their bodies, and to extend their interests and understanding of the world about them. The prekindergarten program shall encourage cooperative efforts between home and school and shall focus on community resources.  The prekindergarten program shall include at least ninety minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least one hundred eighty minutes of play-based learning during each full school day. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a prekindergarten teacher shall hold a license certifying that the holder is qualified to teach in prekindergarten. A nonpublic school which offers only a prekindergarten may, but is not required to, seek and obtain accreditation.
   b.  If the board of directors of a school district contracts for the operation of a prekindergarten program, the program shall be under the oversight of an appropriately licensed teacher. If the program contracted with was in existence on July 1, 1989, oversight of the program shall be provided by the district. If the program contracted with was not in existence on July 1, 1989, the director of the program shall be a licensed teacher and the director shall provide program oversight. Any director of a program contracted with by a school district under this section who is not a licensed teacher is required to register with the department of education.  The prekindergarten program shall include at least ninety minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least one hundred eighty minutes of play-based learning during each full school day.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256.11, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The kindergarten program shall include experiences designed to develop healthy emotional and social habits and growth in the language arts and communication skills, as well as a capacity for the completion of individual tasks, and protect and increase physical well-being with attention given to experiences relating to the development of life skills and, subject to section 279.80, age-appropriate and research-based human growth and development.  The kindergarten program shall include at least forty-five minutes of play-based learning during each school day. A kindergarten teacher shall be licensed to teach in kindergarten. An accredited nonpublic school must meet the requirements of this subsection only if the nonpublic school offers a kindergarten program; provided, however, that section 279.80 shall not apply to a nonpublic school.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256.11, subsection 19, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0b.  “Play-based learning” means a pedagogical approach that emphasizes play and child-directed experiences in promoting learning and that includes developmentally appropriate strategies that can be integrated with existing learning standards. “Play-based learning” includes social imitation, learning through expression, and unstructured play within the classroom setting where it is a time for the discovery of each child’s individual talents, abilities, and needs. “Play-based learning” does not include time spent in recess or as part of a physical education course or instruction.
    Sec. 4.  Section 256C.3, subsection 3, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  i.  Provision for at least ninety minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least one hundred eighty minutes of play-based learning during each full school day. For purposes of this paragraph, “play-based learning” means the same as defined in section 256.11, subsection 19.
    Sec. 5.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph g, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (01)  The educational standards established in section 256.11, subsections 1 and 2, related to play-based learning.
    Sec. 6.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  r.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11, subsections 1 and 2, relating to play-based learning in the same manner as a school district.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.
   The bill defines “play-based learning” as a pedagogical approach that emphasizes play and child-directed experiences in promoting learning and that includes developmentally appropriate strategies that can be integrated with existing learning standards.
   The bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to incorporate at least 90 minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day into the prekindergarten program. Schools are required to incorporate at least 45 minutes of play-based learning each school day into the kindergarten program. The bill also requires preschools that operate under Code chapter 256C (statewide preschool program) to provide for at least 90 minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day.