Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB97

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to reference to certain specified natural formations in classroom instruction and handouts provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

Impact

The passage of HSB97 would lead to a notable shift in educational content provided to students across the state. By replacing the terms, the bill seeks to promote a sense of American identity that resonates with certain groups advocating for these changes. This regulation may influence how students learn about geography and natural formations, shaping their understanding and perception of these entities based on the proposed terminology. Furthermore, educational institutions will be required to review and modify lesson plans, handouts, and instructional materials to comply with this new requirement, which could incur administrative and resource costs.

Summary

House Study Bill 97 (HSB97) is a legislative proposal aimed at altering certain references in classroom instruction and educational materials within Iowa's school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. Specifically, the bill mandates that references to the Gulf of Mexico must be replaced with the Gulf of America, and that Denali must be referred to as Mount McKinley. This change is required in all classroom instruction and any handouts provided to students. The bill reflects a significant influence of cultural and historical perceptions on education, highlighting how geographical names can be tied to national identity and pride.

Contention

The bill has the potential to provoke discussions regarding the implications of altering established geographical names in an educational context. Supporters of the bill may view it as an opportunity to foster national pride and a more unified cultural identity, while opponents may argue that such changes undermine the historical significance and recognition of these names, potentially eroding multicultural understanding. The debate may also touch upon broader issues of educational content control, state influence in curricula, and the role of cultural representation in schools.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 SF2223

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including by modifying provisions related to a parent's or guardian's rights to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, the educational program and human growth and development curriculum provided to students enrolled in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, student health screenings, school district library programs, special education, and other duties of school districts and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools.

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA SF2150

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.

IA HSB586

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.

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 SSB3092

A bill for an act authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students.

IA HF2073

A bill for an act authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students.

IA HF2617

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 seven through twelve.(Formerly HF 2031.)

IA SF2138

A bill for an act relating to the administration of social, academic, and emotional behavior risk screener tools by school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.