Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF560

Introduced
3/2/23  
Introduced
3/2/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the department of education, including the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program and the postsecondary summer classes for high school students program, and making appropriations.

Impact

The bill not only allocates funds for concurrent enrollment but also ensures that any unspent money at the end of the fiscal year remains available for subsequent years. This measure is intended to provide stability in funding for educational programs that allow high school students in grades 9 through 12 to take college-level classes, either at community colleges or through classes taught by community college-employed instructors. By incorporating provisions to prevent reversion of funds, the bill supports long-term educational goals under the Future Ready Iowa initiative.

Summary

House File 560 aims to enhance educational opportunities by addressing funding for community colleges and concurrent enrollment programs for high school students. Specifically, the bill appropriates $2 million from the state's general fund for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to support payments to community colleges for the concurrent enrollment of accredited nonpublic school students. This provision seeks to encourage high school students to engage in college-level coursework, fostering a smoother transition from high school to higher education.

Contention

While the bill is generally well-received, discussions around its implications highlight concerns regarding equitable access to these educational opportunities. Critics argue that the emphasis on funding for concurrent enrollment primarily benefits students in nonpublic schools, potentially leading to disparities in access for those in public educational institutions. This raises important questions about funding priorities and ensuring that all students, regardless of the type of school they attend, have equal opportunities to participate in postsecondary education programs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1222

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents.

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SSB1231

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(See SF 647.)

IA HF1045

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 337.)

IA HSB337

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(See HF 1045.)

IA SF647

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1231.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA SF269

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to civil liability associated with secondary students participating in work-based learning programs and the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve in school districts and charter schools, establishing a career and technical education teachers grant program within the department of education, making appropriations, and requiring the department of education to convene a senior year plus program task force.

IA HSB105

A bill for an act relating to charter schools, including by modifying provisions related to charter school board member requirements and charter school student participation in the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program.(See HF 785.)

IA SSB3201

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2435.)

IA HF731

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force on at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 254.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.