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

This bill relates to social studies instruction in public schools.11 is required to include, in grades through 12, five units of social studies. The bill requires that all students enrolled in public schools in these grades complete a minimum of one unit of United States government, one unit of United States history and Iowa history, and one unit of civics. The bill provides that this requirement applies to students entering grade nine on or after July 1, 2022. The bill provides that the unit of United States government shall include a study of the Constitution of the United States, the structure of the United States, and a multiple choice assessment of the student’s knowledge of United States government. 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. 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.