Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve, and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Lynn Evans (R)
Topics:K–12 education
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 27, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 3, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 19, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2413
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 2413 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2413 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Students in grades 7 through 12 at public, private, charter, and innovation zone schools would receive more instruction on civics and the United States government. For 7th and 8th graders, the law would add required lessons on how the U.S. government works. High school students would also see an increase in the amount of time they spend learning about these topics.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades 7 through 12. Current law requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in grades seven and eight include instruction related to civics. The bill requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades seven and eight also include instruction related to United States government. The instruction related to civics and United States government must be at least one-half semester, or the trimester or quarter equivalent. Current law requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to offer and teach one-half unit of United States government instruction as part of the required five units of social studies instruction in grades 9 through 12. The bill requires that the United States government instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades 9 through 12 also include instruction related to civics, and increases the offer and teach requirement from one-half unit to one unit. The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.
Why it matters. Students in grades seven and eight at school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools would receive instruction in both civics and United States government for at least one-half semester. Additionally, all students in grades through 12 would see an increase in required United States government instruction from one-half unit to one unit.2
Changed since by amendment H-8076; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 3, 2026. On February 4, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: January 22, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill changes requirements for school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and nonpublic schools to include instruction in U.S. government and civics. The fiscal impact of this bill cannot be estimated.4
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 2244 amends offer and teach requirements related to social studies instruction for school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and nonpublic schools to include U.S. government and civics instruction. The Bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028 (FY 2029).
Fiscal Impact
The introduced version of House File 2244 required a Fiscal Note that included an undetermined fiscal impact. House File 2244 was amended by the House on March 3, 2026, and the Bill no longer requires a Fiscal Note.
- High School Social Studies Curricula, Government · March 5, 2026
- High School Social Studies Curricula, Government · March 2, 2026
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
8 for · 0 against · 10 undecided · Who →
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