Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades seven and eight, and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by the Senate Education Committee, 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
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Skipped: House committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 3, 202670–26
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Middle school students in seventh and eighth grade will receive more specific lessons about the United States government. This change affects students in public schools, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and accredited private schools. Teachers must spend at least half of a school term teaching these topics.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades seven and eight. 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. The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.
Changed since by amendment H-8076; see Amendments.
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.3
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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