IA
Iowa House Bill HF2495

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2495

Introduced
2/14/24  
Introduced
2/14/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals.

Impact

The legislation includes amendments requiring the state board to adopt specific rules regarding teacher-to-child ratios, class sizes, and parental involvement in preschool programs. Programs will need to be evaluated at least once every five years to ensure they meet the established quality standards. Moreover, funding allocated under the preschool foundation aid can no longer be used for infrastructure but rather directed towards essential instructional resources and services that directly benefit the children enrolled.

Summary

House File 2495 aims to enhance the quality standards and operational requirements for the statewide voluntary preschool program (SVPP) in Iowa. The bill introduces new definitions, most notably that of 'collaboration', which emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication and coordination among local programs, families, early care providers, and community organizations. This collaborative approach is aimed at providing comprehensive services and ensuring alignment with the educational standards set forth by the state Board of Education.

Contention

Notably, the bill has raised discussions on the balance between maintaining substantial state oversight and allowing local flexibility in the delivery of preschool education. Supporters of HF2495 argue that standardizing quality across programs will enhance educational outcomes for young children. However, critics voice concerns that stringent requirements may limit the ability of local programs to adapt and respond to their community's unique needs and circumstances, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the preschool initiatives.

Latest IA HF2495 Activity

View All Events: IA 2023-2024 Regular Session HF2495

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF422

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program quality standards and renewals.

IA HF2468

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool programs, including minimum hours of instruction and funding.

IA HF2357

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program required hours of instruction and funding calculations.

IA HF2353

A bill for an act relating to preschool for four-year-old children, including funding, minimum hours, and approved programs, and including effective date provisions.

IA HF623

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(Formerly HSB 145.)

IA SF2075

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program students whose household income is below a certain amount, minimum hours required to be offered, and funding calculations.(See SF 2383.)

IA SF2383

A bill for an act relating to statewide voluntary preschool program students whose household income is below a certain amount, minimum hours required to be offered, and funding calculations.(Formerly SF 2075.)

IA HSB145

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)

IA SSB1135

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)

IA HF275

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the enrollment of eligible children in the statewide preschool program.

Similar Bills

NJ A5717

Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts.

IA SF445

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services, making appropriations and reducing appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1135.)

IA HF623

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(Formerly HSB 145.)

NJ S3910

Makes various changes to provision of preschool aid and facilities requirements; establishes Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee; requires full-day kindergarten in all school districts.

IA HSB145

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See HF 623.)

IA SSB1135

A bill for an act relating to early childhood education and care, including by modifying provisions related to the statewide preschool program, the child development coordinating council, programs for at-risk children, the responsibilities of the department of education, the early childhood Iowa initiative, and the state child care assistance program, and establishing the child care continuum partnership grants pilot program within the department of health and human services.(See SF 445.)

CA SB725

Early childhood education: parent participation preschools: pilot program.

NJ A103

Eliminates expansion of preschool education programs in "School Funding Reform Act of 2008."