IowaIowa schools would test students in more subjects and grades
Iowa schools would give subject-area tests and follow health curriculum rules, while districts would pay the state mandate costs from school foundation aid.
What it does
School districts would test students in math and English language arts in grades 3–11, science in grades 5, 8, and 11, and social studies in grades 8 and 11.
High school health classes would cover fitness, food and nutrition, and personal health. Schools could also teach topics such as safety, family life, and disease prevention.
School districts would cover the state cost of the act’s mandates using state school foundation aid, with no additional state funding specified.
Argument forStudents could be assessed in more subjects, giving schools and families a broader picture of academic progress.
Argument againstSchools may need to adjust tests and courses, while the law directs districts to cover state mandate costs from school foundation aid.
More detail
Schools would give statewide tests in math and English language arts in grades 3–11, science in grades 5, 8, and 11, and social studies in grades 8 and 11. The requirements apply to students in the listed grades in school districts. The assessments must meet stated standards for alignment, fairness, and student progress, and undergo independent review. The tests are to be given during the last quarter of the school year.
The state board would set high school health curriculum standards, including required topics and optional topics. The high school health curriculum is for grades 9–12. Required instruction includes physical fitness, food and nutrition, and personal health. Optional topics include safety, family life, human growth and development, substance use, and disease prevention.
Districts would pay the state cost of complying with state mandates in the act from state school foundation aid. This applies to school districts subject to state mandates in the act. The act says no additional state funding is needed for full implementation and enforcement.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.Became Law
- May 27Fiscal note.
- May 6Reported correctly enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, and sent to Governor.To Governor
- May 1Explanation of vote.
- Apr 22Message from House.
- Apr 21Immediate message.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Passed House, yeas 65, nays 28.Major
- Apr 21House concurred in Senate amendment H-8361.
- Apr 14Fiscal note.
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Senate amendment H-8361 filed.Minor
- Apr 14Message from Senate.
- Apr 14Immediate message.
- Apr 14Passed Senate, yeas 30, nays 17.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 14Amendment S-5113 adopted.Major
- Mar 26Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
- Mar 19Placed on calendar.
- Mar 19Amendment S-5113 filed.Minor
- Mar 19Committee report, recommending amendment and passage.Minor
- Mar 18Subcommittee recommends passage.Minor
- Mar 17Subcommittee Meeting: 03/18/2026 1:00PM Room 315.
- Mar 12Fiscal note.
- Mar 12Subcommittee: Evans, Donahue, and Taylor.
- Mar 10Read first time, referred to Education.Minor
- Vote recorded Shall the bill pass? Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Message from House.
- Mar 10Immediate message.
- Mar 10Passed House, yeas 59, nays 33.Passed 1st Chamber
- Mar 10Amendment H-8092 withdrawn.
- Mar 10Amendment H-8079 adopted, as amended.Major
- Mar 10Amendment H-8191 to amendment H-8079 filed, adopted.Major
- Mar 2Fiscal note.
- Mar 2Amendment H-8092 filed.Minor
- Mar 2Amendment H-8079 filed.Minor
- Feb 23Introduced, placed on calendar.Introduced
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