Iowa Senate Bill SF389

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/23/23
• Refer: 6/5/23

Caption

A bill for an act directing the department of education to convene an achievement gap working group.(Formerly SF 38.)

Impact

Upon establishment, the working group is required to meet a maximum of four times and may conduct its meetings in person or remotely. The bill emphasizes a bipartisan approach and mandates representation of minority individuals within the group. This thoughtful composition aims to ensure diverse perspectives are considered in the discussions related to educational equity. By the end of December 2023, the working group is expected to submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations for reducing the academic performance gap among students.

Summary

Senate File 389 (SF389) is a bill aimed at addressing educational disparities among different racial and ethnic groups in the state of Iowa. The bill mandates the Department of Education to convene an achievement gap working group composed of no more than ten members, including at least two teachers from grades K-12. The primary objective of this working group is to study any existing disparities in academic performance between different racial or ethnic groups of students and to identify potential causes, along with specific actions that can be taken to mitigate those disparities.

Contention

While the bill is designed to promote equity and fairness in education, there are potential points of contention surrounding its implementation. Critics may argue that establishing yet another working group could be seen as a mere bureaucratic solution that may not lead to actionable results. Additionally, the debate may arise over the best strategies for addressing educational disparities, as various stakeholders might advocate for different approaches, each reflecting their distinct educational philosophies and priorities.