Print
House Study Bill 219 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to education, including modifying provisions
2related to school district library programs and the
3educational program provided to students enrolled in
4school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter
5schools.
6BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 256.11, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code
22023, is amended to read as follows:
3The state board shall adopt rules under chapter 17A and
4a procedure for accrediting all public and nonpublic schools
5in Iowa offering instruction at any or all levels from the
6prekindergarten level through grade twelve. The rules of
7the state board shall require that a an age-appropriate,
8 multicultural, and gender-fair approach is used by schools and
9school districts. The educational program shall be taught from
10a an age-appropriate, multicultural, and gender-fair approach.
11Global perspectives shall be incorporated into all levels of
12the educational program. The rules adopted by the state board
13pursuant to section 256.17, Code Supplement 1987, to establish
14new standards shall satisfy the requirements of this section to
15adopt rules to implement the educational program contained in
16this section. The educational program shall be as follows:
17 Sec. 2. Section 256.11, subsections 4 and 9, Code 2023, are
18amended to read as follows:
194. The following shall be taught in grades seven and
20eight: English-language arts; social studies; mathematics;
21science; health; age-appropriate and research-based human
22growth and development; career exploration and development;
23physical education; music; and visual art. Computer science
24instruction incorporating the standards established under
25section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (4),
26shall be offered in at least one grade level commencing with
27the school year beginning July 1, 2023. Career exploration
28and development shall be designed so that students are
29appropriately prepared to create an individual career
30and academic plan pursuant to section 279.61, incorporate
31foundational career and technical education concepts aligned
32with the six career and technical education service areas
33as defined in subsection 5, paragraph “h”, and incorporate
34relevant twenty-first century skills. The health curriculum
35shall include age-appropriate and research-based information
-1-1regarding the characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases,
2including HPV and the availability of a vaccine to prevent
3HPV, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The state board
4as part of accreditation standards shall adopt curriculum
5definitions for implementing the program in grades seven
6and eight. However, this subsection shall not apply to the
7teaching of career exploration and development in nonpublic
8schools. For purposes of this section,“age-appropriate”,
9“HPV”, and “research-based” mean the same as defined in section
10279.50.
119. a. Beginning July 1, 2006, each school district shall
12have a qualified teacher librarian who shall be licensed by
13the board of educational examiners under chapter 272. Each
14school district shall establish a kindergarten through grade
15twelve library program that is consistent with the educational
16standards established in this section, contains only
17age-appropriate materials, and supports the student achievement
18goals of the total school curriculum. The qualified teacher
19librarian, working with students, teachers, support staff, and
20administrators, shall direct the library program and provide
21services and instruction in support of the curricular goals of
22each attendance center. The qualified teacher librarian shall
23be a member of the attendance center instructional team with
24special expertise in identifying resources and technologies to
25support teaching and learning. The qualified teacher librarian
26and classroom teachers shall collaborate to develop, teach, and
27evaluate attendance center curricular goals with an emphasis
28on all of the following:
29(1) Promoting inquiry and critical thinking.
30(2) Providing information literacy learning experiences to
31help students access, evaluate, use, create, and communicate
32information.
33(3) Enhancing learning and teaching through technology.
34(4) Promoting literacy through reader guidance and
35activities that develop capable and independent readers.
-2- 1b. The library programs established pursuant to paragraph
2“a” shall be regularly reviewed and revised and shall be
3designed to meet all of the following goals:
4(1) To provide for methods to improve library collections to
5meet student and staff needs.
6(2) To make connections with parents and the community.
7(3) To support the school district’s school improvement
8plan.
9(4) To provide access to or support for professional
10development for the qualified teacher librarian.
11(5) To provide current technology and electronic resources
12to ensure that students become skillful and discriminating
13users of information.
14(6) To include a current and diverse collection of fiction
15and nonfiction materials in a variety of formats to support
16student and curricular needs.
17(7) To include a plan for annually updating and replacing
18library materials, supports, and equipment.
19c. The board of directors of each school district shall
20adopt policies to address selection and reconsideration of
21school library materials, confidentiality of student library
22records, and legal and ethical use of information resources,
23including plagiarism and intellectual property rights.
24d. The state board shall establish in rule a definition
25of and standards for an articulated sequential kindergarten
26through grade twelve media program.
27e. A school district that entered into a contract with an
28individual for employment as a media specialist or librarian
29prior to June 1, 2006, shall be considered to be in compliance
30with this subsection until June 30, 2011, if the individual
31is making annual progress toward meeting the requirements
32for a teacher librarian endorsement issued by the board of
33educational examiners under chapter 272. A school district
34that entered into a contract with an individual for employment
35as a media specialist or librarian who holds at least a
-3-1master’s degree in library and information studies shall be
2considered to be in compliance with this subsection until the
3individual leaves the employ of the school district.
4 Sec. 3. Section 256.11, Code 2023, is amended by adding the
5following new subsection:
6 NEW SUBSECTION. 19. For purposes of this section:
7a. (1) “Age-appropriate” means topics, messages, and
8teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups
9of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive,
10emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age
11group. “Age-appropriate” does not include any material with
12descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act as defined in
13section 702.17 or section 728.1.
14(2) Nothwithstanding subparagraph (1), for purposes of the
15human growth and development curriculum, “age-appropriate” means
16the same as defined in section 279.50.
17b. “HPV” means the same as defined in section 279.50.
18c. “Research-based” means the same as defined in section
19279.50.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to education, including modifying
24provisions related to school district library programs and the
25educational program provided to students enrolled in school
26districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.
27Code section 256.11 (educational standards) requires that
28the educational program adopted by the state board of education
29for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and
30charter schools be taught from a multicultural and gender-fair
31approach. The bill provides that the educational program shall
32also be taught from an age-appropriate approach. The bill
33defines “age-appropriate” in this context as topics, messages,
34and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups
35of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive,
-4-1emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age
2group. Additionally, the bill provides that “age-appropriate”
3does not include any material with descriptions or visual
4depictions of a sex act. The bill does not affect the
5definition of “age-appropriate” in the context of the human
6growth and development curriculum.
7The bill requires each school district to establish
8a kindergarten through grade 12 library program that
9is consistent with Code section 256.11, contains only
10age-appropriate materials, and supports the student achievement
11goals of the total school curriculum. The bill requires a
12qualified teacher librarian to direct the library program and
13provide services in support of the curricular goals of each
14attendance center. The qualified teacher librarian shall be a
15member of the attendance center instructional team with special
16expertise in identifying resources and technologies to support
17teaching and learning. The bill establishes that the qualified
18teacher librarian and classroom teachers are to collaborate
19to develop, teach, and evaluate attendance center curricular
20goals, with an emphasis on certain specified goals.
21The bill requires library programs to be regularly reviewed
22and revised and to be designed to provide for methods to
23improve library collections to meet student and staff needs,
24make connections with parents and the community, support the
25school district’s school improvement plan, provide support for
26professional development for the qualified teacher librarian,
27provide current electronic resources to ensure that students
28become skillful and discriminating users of information,
29include a current and diverse collection of materials in a
30variety of formats to support student and curricular needs,
31and include a plan for annually updating and replacing library
32materials, supports, and equipment. The bill also requires the
33board of directors of each school district to adopt policies
34to address selection and reconsideration of school library
35materials, confidentiality of student library records, and
-5-1legal and ethical use of information resources.
-6-jda/jh
2related to school district library programs and the
3educational program provided to students enrolled in
4school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter
5schools.
6BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 256.11, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code
22023, is amended to read as follows:
3The state board shall adopt rules under chapter 17A and
4a procedure for accrediting all public and nonpublic schools
5in Iowa offering instruction at any or all levels from the
6prekindergarten level through grade twelve. The rules of
7the state board shall require that a an age-appropriate,
8 multicultural, and gender-fair approach is used by schools and
9school districts. The educational program shall be taught from
10a an age-appropriate, multicultural, and gender-fair approach.
11Global perspectives shall be incorporated into all levels of
12the educational program. The rules adopted by the state board
13pursuant to section 256.17, Code Supplement 1987, to establish
14new standards shall satisfy the requirements of this section to
15adopt rules to implement the educational program contained in
16this section. The educational program shall be as follows:
17 Sec. 2. Section 256.11, subsections 4 and 9, Code 2023, are
18amended to read as follows:
194. The following shall be taught in grades seven and
20eight: English-language arts; social studies; mathematics;
21science; health; age-appropriate and research-based human
22growth and development; career exploration and development;
23physical education; music; and visual art. Computer science
24instruction incorporating the standards established under
25section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (4),
26shall be offered in at least one grade level commencing with
27the school year beginning July 1, 2023. Career exploration
28and development shall be designed so that students are
29appropriately prepared to create an individual career
30and academic plan pursuant to section 279.61, incorporate
31foundational career and technical education concepts aligned
32with the six career and technical education service areas
33as defined in subsection 5, paragraph “h”, and incorporate
34relevant twenty-first century skills. The health curriculum
35shall include age-appropriate and research-based information
-1-1regarding the characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases,
2including HPV and the availability of a vaccine to prevent
3HPV, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The state board
4as part of accreditation standards shall adopt curriculum
5definitions for implementing the program in grades seven
6and eight. However, this subsection shall not apply to the
7teaching of career exploration and development in nonpublic
8schools. For purposes of this section,“age-appropriate”,
9“HPV”, and “research-based” mean the same as defined in section
10279.50.
119. a. Beginning July 1, 2006, each school district shall
12have a qualified teacher librarian who shall be licensed by
13the board of educational examiners under chapter 272. Each
14school district shall establish a kindergarten through grade
15twelve library program that is consistent with the educational
16standards established in this section, contains only
17age-appropriate materials, and supports the student achievement
18goals of the total school curriculum. The qualified teacher
19librarian, working with students, teachers, support staff, and
20administrators, shall direct the library program and provide
21services and instruction in support of the curricular goals of
22each attendance center. The qualified teacher librarian shall
23be a member of the attendance center instructional team with
24special expertise in identifying resources and technologies to
25support teaching and learning. The qualified teacher librarian
26and classroom teachers shall collaborate to develop, teach, and
27evaluate attendance center curricular goals with an emphasis
28on all of the following:
29(1) Promoting inquiry and critical thinking.
30(2) Providing information literacy learning experiences to
31help students access, evaluate, use, create, and communicate
32information.
33(3) Enhancing learning and teaching through technology.
34(4) Promoting literacy through reader guidance and
35activities that develop capable and independent readers.
-2- 1b. The library programs established pursuant to paragraph
2“a” shall be regularly reviewed and revised and shall be
3designed to meet all of the following goals:
4(1) To provide for methods to improve library collections to
5meet student and staff needs.
6(2) To make connections with parents and the community.
7(3) To support the school district’s school improvement
8plan.
9(4) To provide access to or support for professional
10development for the qualified teacher librarian.
11(5) To provide current technology and electronic resources
12to ensure that students become skillful and discriminating
13users of information.
14(6) To include a current and diverse collection of fiction
15and nonfiction materials in a variety of formats to support
16student and curricular needs.
17(7) To include a plan for annually updating and replacing
18library materials, supports, and equipment.
19c. The board of directors of each school district shall
20adopt policies to address selection and reconsideration of
21school library materials, confidentiality of student library
22records, and legal and ethical use of information resources,
23including plagiarism and intellectual property rights.
24d. The state board shall establish in rule a definition
25of and standards for an articulated sequential kindergarten
26through grade twelve media program.
27e. A school district that entered into a contract with an
28individual for employment as a media specialist or librarian
29prior to June 1, 2006, shall be considered to be in compliance
30with this subsection until June 30, 2011, if the individual
31is making annual progress toward meeting the requirements
32for a teacher librarian endorsement issued by the board of
33educational examiners under chapter 272. A school district
34that entered into a contract with an individual for employment
35as a media specialist or librarian who holds at least a
-3-1master’s degree in library and information studies shall be
2considered to be in compliance with this subsection until the
3individual leaves the employ of the school district.
4 Sec. 3. Section 256.11, Code 2023, is amended by adding the
5following new subsection:
6 NEW SUBSECTION. 19. For purposes of this section:
7a. (1) “Age-appropriate” means topics, messages, and
8teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups
9of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive,
10emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age
11group. “Age-appropriate” does not include any material with
12descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act as defined in
13section 702.17 or section 728.1.
14(2) Nothwithstanding subparagraph (1), for purposes of the
15human growth and development curriculum, “age-appropriate” means
16the same as defined in section 279.50.
17b. “HPV” means the same as defined in section 279.50.
18c. “Research-based” means the same as defined in section
19279.50.
20EXPLANATION
21The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
22the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
23This bill relates to education, including modifying
24provisions related to school district library programs and the
25educational program provided to students enrolled in school
26districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.
27Code section 256.11 (educational standards) requires that
28the educational program adopted by the state board of education
29for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and
30charter schools be taught from a multicultural and gender-fair
31approach. The bill provides that the educational program shall
32also be taught from an age-appropriate approach. The bill
33defines “age-appropriate” in this context as topics, messages,
34and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups
35of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive,
-4-1emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age
2group. Additionally, the bill provides that “age-appropriate”
3does not include any material with descriptions or visual
4depictions of a sex act. The bill does not affect the
5definition of “age-appropriate” in the context of the human
6growth and development curriculum.
7The bill requires each school district to establish
8a kindergarten through grade 12 library program that
9is consistent with Code section 256.11, contains only
10age-appropriate materials, and supports the student achievement
11goals of the total school curriculum. The bill requires a
12qualified teacher librarian to direct the library program and
13provide services in support of the curricular goals of each
14attendance center. The qualified teacher librarian shall be a
15member of the attendance center instructional team with special
16expertise in identifying resources and technologies to support
17teaching and learning. The bill establishes that the qualified
18teacher librarian and classroom teachers are to collaborate
19to develop, teach, and evaluate attendance center curricular
20goals, with an emphasis on certain specified goals.
21The bill requires library programs to be regularly reviewed
22and revised and to be designed to provide for methods to
23improve library collections to meet student and staff needs,
24make connections with parents and the community, support the
25school district’s school improvement plan, provide support for
26professional development for the qualified teacher librarian,
27provide current electronic resources to ensure that students
28become skillful and discriminating users of information,
29include a current and diverse collection of materials in a
30variety of formats to support student and curricular needs,
31and include a plan for annually updating and replacing library
32materials, supports, and equipment. The bill also requires the
33board of directors of each school district to adopt policies
34to address selection and reconsideration of school library
35materials, confidentiality of student library records, and
-5-1legal and ethical use of information resources.
-6-jda/jh