Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2441

Introduced

2/16/26

Refer

2/16/26

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.(Formerly HSB 648; See HF 2752.)

Impact

This bill specifically allocates funding such that 20 percent is designated for eligible teachers providing special education instruction, and 50 percent is aimed at teachers employed by rural school districts, defined as those with fewer than 1,000 students. This targeted funding allocation is intended to provide greater support where it is often needed the most. By shifting the criteria for eligibility, HF2441 is expected to increase the number of potential applicants to the program, thereby enhancing the overall workforce of educators in Iowa.

Summary

House File 2441 aims to revise the Teach Iowa Scholar program by modifying eligibility criteria and establishing new funding allocations. The program currently provides grants of up to $4,000 annually to eligible teachers as an incentive to work full-time in Iowa schools, particularly in fields that are hard to staff such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), special education, and English as a second language. The notable change proposed in this legislation is the removal of the requirement that applicants must be in the top 25 percent academically of their teacher preparation program, which could broaden access for prospective teachers.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HF2441 could arise from the changes in eligibility requirements. Some stakeholders may argue that removing the academic performance criteria could lower the standards for teacher qualification, potentially affecting the quality of education. Conversely, supporters may contend that the previous requirements were overly restrictive and are now hindering the influx of qualified individuals into the teaching profession, particularly in critical areas such as special education and rural teaching positions. The changes might provoke a debate regarding the balance between maintaining high educational standards and providing broader access to teaching professions.

Companion Bills

IA HSB648

Related A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.(See HF 2441, HF 2752.)

IA HF2752

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations. (Formerly HF 2441, HSB 648.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF2752

A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations. (Formerly HF 2441, HSB 648.)

IA HSB648

A bill for an act relating to the teach Iowa scholar program, including modifying eligibility provisions and establishing funding allocations.(See HF 2441, HF 2752.)

IA SF286

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the national board certification pilot project and establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 72.)

IA HF118

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program. (Formerly HSB 4.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

IA HF2092

A bill for an act relating to the statewide preschool program by modifying provisions relating to eligibility, funding, and compulsory attendance and including applicability provisions.(See HF 2493.)

IA HF272

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive scholar program within the college student aid commission and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 96.)

IA HSB4

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program.(See HF 118.)

IA HF2713

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to charter schools, the Iowa public employees' retirement system, financing programs for charter schools and nonpublic schools administered by the Iowa finance authority, the statewide voluntary preschool program for the school start date, training and licensure, and making appropriations, and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 735; See HF 2754.)

IA HF1045

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 337.)

IA HF117

A bill for an act establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program. (Formerly HSB 3.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.