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Bill > HF402
IA HF402
IA HF402A bill for an act establishing completion of a course on American history and civil government as a requirement for the completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a public institution of higher education.(Formerly HSB 56.)
summary
Introduced
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill requires a public institution of higher education to establish as a requirement for the completion of any baccalaureate degree program that a student complete a survey course in American history and civil government. The requirement begins with the academic year commencing in 2027. The bill provides minimum required subjects that must be taught and documents that students must read as part of the course. The bill defines a public institution of higher education as a regents institution or a community college with respect to any baccalaureate degree program offered by the community college and to any student enrolled in such a program. The bill provides that the course shall be assigned a value of three semester hours of credit and that the course shall fulfill any general education requirement in the social sciences that is a graduation requirement. The bill provides that a student shall not be required to complete the course again if transferring to another public institution of higher education.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a mandatory three-semester-hour course on American history and civil government as a requirement for completing a baccalaureate degree at public higher education institutions in Iowa, starting in the 2027 academic year. The course must comprehensively cover American governmental principles, including the basic structures and ideals of the United States' republican form of government, its historical development, and comparisons with other governmental systems. Students will be required to read foundational documents such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, Emancipation Proclamation, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail. The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of American institutions, constitutional principles, landmark Supreme Court cases, and the evolution of democratic ideals. Importantly, the bill specifies that if a student completes this course at one public institution of higher education and subsequently transfers to another, they will not be required to retake the course. The legislation applies to both state regents institutions and community colleges offering baccalaureate degree programs, ensuring a consistent civics education across Iowa's public higher education system.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Higher Education (House)
Last Action
Referred to Higher Education. H.J. 895. (on 04/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF402 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF402.html |
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