This bill focuses on enhancing educational opportunities in Iowa, particularly for charter schools and accredited nonpublic schools. Key provisions include the amendment of funding mechanisms, allowing charter schools to receive additional financial support through a teacher salary supplement and other state cost per pupil allocations. The bill expands the definition of employers to include charter schools, enabling their employees to participate in the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). It also ensures that students enrolled in charter schools can participate in extracurricular activities offered by public schools, promoting equal access to opportunities.

Additionally, the legislation introduces new funding structures, such as a charter school facilities revolving loan program fund and an accredited nonpublic school facilities revolving loan program fund, to assist these institutions in acquiring or improving facilities. The Iowa Finance Authority is empowered to issue bonds and notes for financing these initiatives, with provisions ensuring that these financial obligations do not burden the state. The bill also modifies the statewide voluntary preschool program, requiring school districts to collaborate with community-based providers, and establishes a task force to review teacher training and licensure requirements, aiming to streamline these processes while maintaining the operational independence of nonpublic schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256E.8, 257.9, 97B.1A, 280.13D, 280.13A, 257.11B, 16.163, 256C.4, 279.10, 256.43