Relating to social studies instruction in public schools and including applicability provisions

The bill requires a public school district to submit the results of these assessments to the department of education. The bill also requires the department to publish the results of these assessments on its internet site. The bill provides that the unit of United States history and Iowa history shall include a study of political philosophy and provide a comparative and objective analysis of other ideologies throughout world history. Additionally, the bill provides that the unit of civics shall include instruction in voting statutes and procedures. The bill provides that social studies instruction incorporating these standards shall be taught in all public schools prior to a student’s completion of grade eight. The bill also provides that this requirement applies to students entering grade one on or after July 1, 2022. The bill requires that, prior to a public school district using a textbook, book, article, video, or other educational material for this social studies instruction for the first time, the department must review and approve of the textbook, book, article, video, or other educational material. The bill provides that this requirement applies to textbooks, books, articles, videos, and other educational material that a public school district uses for the first time to provide the social studies instruction on or after July 1, 2022. The bill describes the review process, which includes consultation with parents, guardians, and teachers, and a period for public comment. The bill requires the department to publish on its internet site a list of all educational materials approved for use by public schools. Under current law, school districts are required to be audited annually to determine, in part, that the laws of the state are being followed. The bill incorporates into this requirement that the school districts be audited annually to determine that the requirements related to social studies instruction are being followed. Current law also requires that a written report of an audit or examination shall be provided to the school district, filed with the auditor, and be open to public inspection. The bill provides that school districts shall not require teachers or students to personally affirm any currently controversial issues. The bill defines “currently controversial issue” as any matter of or related to politics, history, or social affairs that is the subject of a current dispute or disagreement among one or more groups of reasonable persons.