Bill > HF730

This bill requires the director of the Iowa Department of Education to establish a special education weighting work group to review and potentially improve the state's special education funding model, which has remained unchanged since 2004. The work group will be composed of 15 voting members representing various educational organizations, school districts of different sizes, and geographical regions, as well as four non-voting legislative members. The group is tasked with examining the current special education weighting plan under section 256B.9 and considering ways to increase special education weightings to better support students with special needs. The bill recognizes that Iowa's school funding has not adequately adapted to changing student demographics and aims to address this by creating a comprehensive review committee. The department of education will provide staffing assistance for the work group, and by January 2, 2026, the group must submit recommendations to the state's general assembly and governor regarding potential adjustments to special education funding weights. The goal is to ensure more equitable and responsive support for special education students across different school districts in Iowa.

Education

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF730