Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF513

Introduced
3/1/23  
Introduced
3/1/23  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to education, including requiring instruction related to persons with disabilities in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education, and modifying provisions related to school district and accredited nonpublic school programs that are designed to eliminate harassment and bullying.

Impact

The implementation of HF 513 is expected to profoundly influence both the curriculum and the school environment across Iowa. By necessitating education about disabilities, the bill aims to cultivate inclusivity within schools, empowering students to appreciate diversity from a young age. Moreover, this initiative may also contribute to reducing stigma associated with disabilities, thus creating a more supportive setting for all students. The state board of education will oversee this transition, ensuring that the newly adopted standards meet educational and developmental needs effectively.

Summary

House File 513 aims to enhance education standards in Iowa by mandating that school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools introduce age-appropriate instruction regarding persons with disabilities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The bill specifically requires the inclusion of information on physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, and the history of persons with disabilities, as well as details from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This curriculum alteration is slated to commence in the 2024 academic year, suggesting a significant evolution in educational content aimed at fostering understanding and inclusivity for children with disabilities.

Contention

While supporters of the bill view it as a crucial step towards inclusivity and equal representation within the school curriculum, opponents may raise concerns regarding the implementation logistics or the adequacy of resources allocated for training educators and preparing teaching materials. Significant discussions may arise regarding how these lessons are framed, the appropriateness of the content for respective grade levels, and the adequacy of support for school districts to achieve the outlined educational goals without imposing an undue burden on existing resources.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF597

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HSB 219.)

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA HF73

A bill for an act relating to firearm education in schools, including requiring the director of the department of education to develop and distribute age-appropriate model programs for firearm safety instruction and modifying provisions related to the required instruction in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in grades six through twelve.

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 SF66

A bill for an act relating to the health and human growth and development instruction provided by school districts and accredited nonpublic schools.

IA SF159

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying the responsibilities of the state board of education and school districts, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity or sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade eight, modifying provisions associated with the human growth and development instruction and health screenings provided in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and providing civil penalties.

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 HF166

A bill for an act relating to vaccines, including modifying provisions related to a minor's legal capacity to give consent to the provision of vaccines and provisions related to the instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools related to the human papilloma virus.

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 HF2496

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the responsibilities of nonpublic schools.

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A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the responsibilities of nonpublic schools.

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