This bill amends various provisions related to education in Iowa, specifically focusing on community college reporting requirements, the national board certification program, and the employment conditions for staff at the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired and the Iowa school for the deaf. It requires community colleges to submit individual-level data directly to the Department of Education (DE) rather than the community colleges bureau, and modifies the deadlines and content of the annual condition of community colleges report. Additionally, the bill changes the designation of the national board certification pilot project to a national board certification program and allows unencumbered funds for national board certification awards to be used for stipends for advanced dyslexia specialist endorsements.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the discharge procedures outlined in Code section 279.27 apply to all employees of the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired and the Iowa school for the deaf, regardless of their licensure status. It also mandates the Department of Administrative Services, in consultation with DE, to establish an annual compensation schedule and set employee benefits for these staff members. Overall, the bill aims to enhance data reporting, support teacher certification, and improve employment conditions for specialized educational staff.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.7, 260C.14, 256.145, 8.33