SF 2121 (LSB 6178XS (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 2121

BY  EVANS

A BILL FOR

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

    Section 1.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph h, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (02)  The educational standards of section 256.11 relating to the social studies curriculum for grades seven through twelve.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0u.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11 relating to the social studies curriculum for grades seven through twelve in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256.11, subsection 4, paragraph a, subparagraph (2), Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   (2)  Social studies, including instruction related to civics and United States government. The instruction related to civics and United States government shall be at least one-half semester, or the trimester or quarter equivalent, during grade seven and grade eight.
    Sec. 4.  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 civics and United States government and one unit of United States history.
   (2)  The one-half one unit of civics and 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. 5.  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 provided to students enrolled in grades 7 through 12.
   Current law requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in grades seven and eight include instruction related to civics. The bill requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades seven and eight also include instruction related to United States government. The instruction related to civics and United States government must be at least one-half semester, or the trimester or quarter equivalent.
   Current law requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools 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. The bill requires that the United States government instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades 9 through 12 also include instruction related to civics, and increases the offer and teach requirement from one-half unit to one unit. 
   The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.