2009 Iowa Code
Title 8 - Transportation
Subtitle 1 - Highways and Waterways
CHAPTER 303 - DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
303.17 - IOWA STUDIES -- FINDINGS -- CURRICULUM -- COMMITTEE.

        303.17  IOWA STUDIES -- FINDINGS -- CURRICULUM --
      COMMITTEE.
         1.  The general assembly finds that Iowa students should have an
      appreciation for Iowa through the study of Iowa's history and
      government, and Iowa citizens' long and distinguished record of civic
      responsibility.  A fundamental need exists to provide Iowa's students
      with learning opportunities that assist the students in succeeding in
      society and confer upon them the ability to make their own valuable
      contributions to Iowa's history.
         2.  The department of cultural affairs shall develop an Iowa
      studies professional development plan that includes professional
      development materials and training measures to provide Iowa's
      teachers with effective ways to infuse Iowa studies into their
      classrooms.  The materials developed shall include an active and
      innovative Iowa studies learning curriculum that may be integrated
      into the social studies requirements for Iowa's secondary school
      students at the discretion of each board of directors of a school
      district or the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic
      school.  The curriculum shall include lesson plans covering Iowa
      history, civics, government, and heritage studies.  The curriculum
      developed shall contain enough content for the creation of a course
      of at least one-half unit of credit.
         3. a.  The director of the department of cultural affairs
      shall establish an Iowa studies committee to do the following:
         (1)  Work to inform Iowa's school districts, accredited nonpublic
      schools, and area education agencies of the Iowa studies professional
      development plan, including how to effectively utilize the curriculum
      developed pursuant to subsection 2.
         (2)  Develop partnerships with organizations such as nonprofit
      history or humanities organizations, civic organizations, libraries,
      and the business community to support and promote Iowa studies
      statewide.
         (3)  Establish evaluation criteria for the Iowa studies
      professional development plan, including but not limited to teacher
      and student evaluation and curriculum and plan effectiveness, which
      may include a survey of student participation in civic activities and
      involvement in the election process.
         (4)  Develop a strategy and plan to allow for the implementation
      of the Iowa studies professional development plan and curriculum in a
      limited number of schools and area education agencies across the
      state.  Participation by a school or area education agency shall be
      voluntary.  However, a school or area education agency selected to
      participate in the plan shall agree to participate in the evaluation
      component conducted by the Iowa studies committee pursuant to
      subsection 4.
         b.  The Iowa studies committee membership shall be comprised
      of the following:
         (1)  The director of the department of cultural affairs or the
      director's designee.
         (2)  The director of the department of education or the director's
      designee.
         (3)  The secretary of state or the secretary's designee.
         (4)  The state librarian or the state librarian's designee.
         (5)  Additional persons knowledgeable in Iowa studies, who shall
      be appointed by the director of the department of cultural affairs
      and who shall include but not be limited to the following:
         (a)  An employee of an area education agency.
         (b)  An individual employed as an Iowa social studies teacher at a
      public school.
         (c)  A faculty member of an institution of higher education
      governed by the state board of regents.
         (d)  An individual employed by a community college.
         (e)  A faculty member of an accredited private institution as
      defined in section 261.9.
         (f)  A member of the Iowa council of social studies.
         (g)  A curriculum specialist for a kindergarten through grade
      twelve public school district.
         (h)  An employee of the public broadcasting division of the
      department of education.
         4.  The Iowa studies committee shall do all of the following:
         a.  Conduct an evaluation of the Iowa studies professional
      development plan using the evaluation criteria established by the
      committee.
         b.  Submit, for school years ending on or before June 30,
      2009, an annual status report on the utilization of the Iowa studies
      professional development plan in Iowa's school districts and
      accredited nonpublic schools to the chairpersons and ranking members
      of the senate and house committees on education by January 15.  The
      annual report shall include the number of schools utilizing the plan.

         c.  Submit its findings and recommendations in a final report
      based upon the evaluation data compiled in accordance with subsection
      3 to the chairpersons and ranking members of the senate and house
      committees on education by January 15, 2010.
         5.  This section is repealed effective July 1, 2010.  

         2006 Acts, ch 1047, §1