Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB586

Introduced
1/18/24  
Introduced
1/18/24  

Caption

A bill for an act requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction related to character development to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.

Impact

The introduction of HSB586 signifies a notable shift in educational priorities within state laws, emphasizing character development alongside traditional academic subjects. This approach reflects an understanding of the importance of emotional intelligence and personal growth in the educational system. Under the bill, school districts are required to comply with these mandates, signaling a move toward a more holistic education model. Additionally, nonpublic schools are not bound by this requirement, allowing them to maintain their curricular flexibility.

Summary

House Study Bill 586 mandates that all school districts and charter schools in Iowa provide character development instruction to students from kindergarten through grade twelve. This initiative aims to enhance the emotional and social skills of students, offering a structured program aimed at fostering positive character traits such as accountability, compassion, courage, and integrity. The new curriculum is to be incorporated into existing subjects, serving as an integral part of the educational experience rather than a standalone course.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding the bill relate to the absence of a requirement for nonpublic schools to adhere to these educational standards. Critics may argue that this disparity could create an uneven playing field in educational quality across public and private institutions. Moreover, there may be concerns about the curriculum's implementation and the potential for it to inadvertently promote certain ideologies, despite the bill's stipulations that it should not encourage conduct that would violate laws. The bill establishes expectations for assessments related to character development but limits these assessments to reflect only classroom material, further heightening discussions about educational standards and evaluation methods.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HSB173

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 851.)

IA HF8

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade three.(See HF 348.)

IA HF348

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade six. (Formerly HF 8.)

IA HF851

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 173.)

IA SF83

A bill for an act relating to instruction relating to gender identity in the curriculum provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools and creating a private cause of action.

IA HSB84

A bill for an act prohibiting school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools from providing any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in grades seven through twelve.

IA HSB587

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying the social studies curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and modifying the responsibilities of school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools related to requiring teachers and students to sing the national anthem.

IA SSB1028

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curricula provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades one through twelve.(See SF 175.)

IA HF2031

A bill for an act incorporating provisions related to pregnancy and fetal development into the human growth and development and health curriculum provided by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to students enrolled in grades one through twelve.(See HF 2617.)

IA SF525

A bill for an act relating to student nutrition, including by modifying the curricula provided to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve to include instruction related to nutrition, modifying provisions related to the agriculture, food, and natural resources component of the career and technical education instruction provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve, and modifying provisions related to school meal programs, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 1158.)

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