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-half unit of United States government, one-half unit of United States history and Iowa history, one-half unit of civics, and one-half unit of civil discourse. The bill provides that this requirement applies to students entering grade nine on or after July 1, 2024. The bill provides that the one-half unit of United States government shall include a study of the Constitution of the United States and the structure of the United States government. The bill provides that the one-half unit of United States history and Iowa history shall include a study of political and economic philosophy and provide a comparative and objective analysis of other ideologies throughout world history. Additionally, the bill provides that the one-half unit of civics shall include instruction in voting statutes and procedures. The bill also provides that the one-half unit of civil discourse shall include instruction in how to contact elected officials and how to disagree and form arguments. 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, 2024. 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.