The bill amends various provisions related to education in Iowa, focusing on career academies, community college articulation agreements, concurrent enrollment programs, and individual career and academic plans. Key changes include the requirement for the workforce development board to create and maintain a list of high-demand jobs, which will now include the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program. Additionally, the bill modifies the structure of career academies, changing the requirement from two years to two units of secondary education, with at least one unit meeting specific course requirements. It also establishes a collective statewide articulation agreement to facilitate the transfer of academic and career technical education credits from community colleges to baccalaureate programs.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the state board of regents to submit a report by November 2026 detailing a performance-based funding model for higher education institutions. This model will consider factors such as graduation rates, degrees awarded in high-demand job areas, post-graduation employment rates, income, and the retention of graduates in Iowa. Other amendments include clarifications on funding for summer classes and the identification of coursework needed to support students' postsecondary education and career options.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 84A.1B, 84A.12, 261E.8, 262.9, 257.11
Reprinted: 84A.1B, 84A.12, 261E.8, 262.9, 257.11