Advocacy & Influence

Iowa ASCD - Advocating for Learning with Your Stories

Welcome to the Iowa ASCD webpage for Advocating for Learning with Your Stories.

Iowa ASCD views educational legislation and policy through a lens that asks, “Is it good for our kids?”

Through the unified voice of an influential organization, we provide the tools and information for you to actively participate in shaping the education landscape for teaching, learning, and leadership.

Maximize your efforts in influencing policy decisions that affect Iowa's schools, your jobs, our kids. Building on the legislative training provided by ASCD governmental experts, be a part of this powerful influence team to advocate for smart statewide education policy.

Advocacy & Influence 

 

Attention!  Iowa ASCD Hosted January 30, 2024, an advocacy workshop with the following:

You may access the full recording of the meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/3aVaDLK5DFhK6M95pszZa2osrThOznKgm4X0qXX8zrxJiqr34zOHuJT9b1OIexgy.1BbTWx08JD6f7L_k?startTime=1706626445000
Passcode: ?FSU+q1k

Subcommittee Meeting for Public Input January 31 at Noon
HSB 542
A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.
Subcommittee members: Wheeler-CH, Collins, Steckman
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: RM 103, Sup. Ct. Chamber
 

 

Making Meetings Meaningful – Personalizing Your Message

Preparation for “On the Hill”

Issues for 2024 with Supporting Tools:

 

 

  • Issue -  Libraries, including Banned Books
  • Issue - Curriculum
    • HSB 587 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
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    • HSB 586  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.
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    • HF 132 A bill for an act relating to social studies instruction in public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HF 12.)
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    • HF 327 A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(Formerly HSB 119.)
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    • HF 348  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
    •    
  • Issue - Area Education Agencies
    • HSB 542   A bill relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative service...
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    • SSB 3073.  A bill relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative service...
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    • This programs and services document will provide you with bullet points on Iowa's AEAs including quick key facts and a summary of the many ways Iowa's AEAs support our schools.
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    • Get the Facts on Iowa's AEAs: Digs deeper into facts about Iowa's AEAs including answers to frequently asked questions.
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    • This document shows a list of current AEA services at risk of being cut. The document will be updated regularly as more information becomes available.
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    • Key concerns regarding the proposed legislation.
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    • Check out Channel 13's Erin Kiernan's interview of Dr. Cindy Yelick, Chief Administrator of Heartland AEA 11.
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    • Iowa DD Council's virtual town hall meeting on January 18, 2023,  regarding AEAs and special education in Iowa.  Click here for the recording with ASL interpreting: https://youtu.be/TFfrITcFSHI
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  • Issue - Finance - Supplemental Aid, etc.
    • HF 171   A bill for an act relating to school funding by establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for the budget year beginning July 1, 2023, modifying provisions relating to the property tax replacement payments, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 117.)
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    • HF 459  A bill for an act relating to supplementary weighting for certain shared operational functions and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 169.
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    • SF 94.  A bill for an act relating to education programs and funding by establishing an education savings account program, modifying certain school district categorical funding supplements, making appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1022.)
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    • HF 98  A bill for an act extending the period of budget years for which supplementary weighting is available for shared operational functions by school districts and area education agencies

 

  • Issue - Mental Health
  • Issue - Teacher Workforce

    • HF 95. A bill for an act establishing a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete alternative teacher certification programs.

    • HF 255  A bill for an act modifying requirements related to teacher intern license programs and licenses and authorizations issued by the board of educational examiners and establishing a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program. (Formerly HF 4.)
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    • HF 355. A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master’s or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HF 224; See HF 672.)
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    • HF 614  A bill for an act relating to licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants from other states or countries. (Formerly HF 221.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.
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    • UEN members have access to tools to support advocacy for teacher shortage.  

 

 

 

Issues for 2023 with Supporting Tools:

  • Recruit and Retain Teachers
  • HF 802
    • HF 802:  Iowa Legislation   This site provides the history of the bill, which became law on 6/08/2021.  This ACT provides for requirements related to racism or sexism trainings at, and diversity and inclusion efforts by, governmental agencies and entities, school districts, and public post-secondary educational institutions.
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    • IASB, ISEA, and SAI FAQ:  Teaching and Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Schools    In May 2021, Governor Reynolds signed into law House File 802, a bill related to diversity and inclusion training for employees and students. This FAQ document is designed to provide districts with additional insight on how districts can provide meaningful training and curriculum on equity, diversity and inclusion that operates within the boundaries of new and existing laws.
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    • Iowa State University – Frequently Asked Questions regarding HF 802:   This FAQ document is based on the university’s current understanding of Iowa House File 802 as informed by the Act itself as well as its legislative history.  As additional information becomes available, and as feedback and questions are received, this document may be updated periodically, and the most current version supersedes previous guidance.
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    • Mississippi Bend Learning Lab – HF 802F   Iowa ASCD President and Mississippi Team Lead Diane Campbell hosted ISEA’s Melissa Peterson and Cindy Swanson in addressing House File 802. Key points included were these:
    • Considerations for districts include: 1) update Core Curriculum that is approved by the Board 2) ensure the platform is accessible for public access 3) What is your Online Catalog of resources in your library? 4) Form and process if there is a complaint for books or resources

University of Iowa – House File (HF) 802 Information  In early June, House File (HF) 802 was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Reynolds.  As a university, we have worked to proactively educate our students, faculty, and staff regarding its impact on our university.

  • Transparency of Curriculum
  • Minimum Funding for Teachers
  • Adequate Funding for School Districts
  • Vouchers
This page was last updated: 2/5/24