HSB 594 (LSB 5664YC (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WHEELER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to social studies instruction, including instruction in United States government, provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and including applicability provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  (1)  Five units of the social studies including instruction in voting statutes and procedures, voter registration requirements, the use of paper ballots and voting systems in the election process, and the method of acquiring and casting an absentee ballot. All students shall complete a minimum of one-half one unit of United States government and one unit of United States history.
   (2)  The one-half one unit of United States government shall include the all of the following:
   (a)  The voting procedure as described in this lettered paragraph and section 280.9A. The government instruction shall also include a
   (b)  A study of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution and an assessment of a student’s knowledge of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (03)  The educational standards established in section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “b”, related to United States government instruction.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0r.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “b”, relating to United States government instruction in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 4.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.
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 social studies instruction, including instruction in United States government. The bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to offer and teach one unit of United States government instruction as part of the required five units of social studies instruction in grades 9 through 12. The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.
   Under current law, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools are required to offer and teach one-half unit of United States government instruction as part of the required five units of social studies instruction in grades 9 through 12.