Iowa House of Representatives' new plan for a sweeping overhaul of Iowa's local education agencies was introduced Thursday in the Iowa House Education Committee, narrowly chipping away at future legislative deadlines.
House Research Bill 713 makes significant changes to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' original proposal to overhaul nine AEAs. The changes are to key parts of the governor's bill.
The bill currently requires school districts to use AEA special education services and allows schools to begin using outside services for media and educational services starting in the 2025-26 school year.
The bill would also create a task force for the Iowa Legislature and the Iowa Department of Education to develop recommendations on special education services in the state and how to improve them.
The bill passed the Iowa House Education Committee on a party-line vote of 15-8 on Thursday afternoon.
Democrats and supporters in a subcommittee on the bill said it stands in stark contrast to the governor's original bill and the Senate version, which is now dead because it missed legislative deadlines.
Most of the groups still oppose the bill, which calls for further changes to complete the bill, but Rep. Schuyler Wheeler (R-Orange City) changed the bill before it was debated in the House. He said he remains committed to doing so.
Advocates for special education services said the bill's ban on job sharing would have a negative impact on local areas.
Melissa Peterson, a lobbyist for the Iowa Education Association, the state's main union for school teachers, said the bill is not perfect, but it's a genuine improvement over other versions.
“This is my favorite proposal I’ve seen so far this year,” Peterson said. “But we still think there is room for improvement.”
Schools can try to predict what services will be needed, but without the ability to share providers such as school psychologists and counselors, said Heather Sievers, an advocate with Iowa Children's Advocates. , said it would be difficult for the AEA to play that role.
Rep. Sharon Sue Steckman, D-Mason City, a Democrat on the panel, said she was concerned about putting so much power in the Iowa Department of Education, given the recent change in directorship.
But Steckman said he was satisfied the bill was a step forward and “gave at least some input from stakeholders.”
Wheeler said he remains focused on ensuring the bill improves special education overall while drafting an alternative to the governor's marquee proposal this session.
“This is the highlight of my long commitment to improving outcomes for special education students,” Wheeler said in closing remarks Thursday on the bill being voted on in the Iowa House of Representatives Education Committee. Stated. “I have a daughter with autism. This is something very near and dear to me personally. We have seen the great things her teachers have prepared us for. But it was very kind to my heart. So I always keep that in mind as I watch this progress.”
