Bill > HF392

This bill allows school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the Iowa Department of Education for authorization to implement a year-round school calendar for high school students (grades 9-12), expanding a previous law that only permitted such calendars for students in prekindergarten through 8th grade. Before submitting an application, school boards must first hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed year-round calendar. This change provides more flexibility for high schools to potentially restructure their academic calendars, potentially offering benefits like more balanced learning periods, reduced summer learning loss, and alternative scheduling options. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools time to prepare and potentially plan for such a calendar change. The modification represents a relatively straightforward expansion of existing educational policy, allowing more local control and innovation in school scheduling for high school students.

Education

Education (House)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF392