Iowa House Bill HSB138

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to assessments required to be administered to students participating in the education savings account program and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Impact

The passage of HSB138 is significant as it would alter how accountability is managed within the education savings account program. By removing the obligation for students to take all state-required assessments, the bill could potentially lead to variations in accountability among students attending nonpublic schools versus those in public schools. Supporters argue that this change offers flexibility in how educational quality is assessed and allows parents to tailor educational opportunities based on their children's needs.

Summary

House Study Bill 138 focuses on the assessment requirements for students enrolled in the newly established education savings account program in Iowa. This program allows parents or guardians of eligible pupils to utilize state funds for educational expenses at nonpublic schools. The bill aims to amend existing statutory requirements regarding the assessments that these students must take. Specifically, it replaces the mandate for these students to participate in all state assessments with a requirement to participate only in applicable state and federally mandated assessments.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding this bill involve concerns about the educational standards and accountability for students in nonpublic schools. Critics argue that reducing assessment requirements could undermine the comparability of educational outcomes between public and nonpublic institutions. They believe that comprehensive assessment is crucial for ensuring that all students receive quality education and for maintaining a level playing field in educational performance metrics across the state.