Senate passes House File 22 30 to require statewide assessment for teacher candidates

The Iowa Senate on a recorded roll call passed House File 22 30, which requires teacher-preparation programs to administer a state-selected end-of-program assessment and establishes minimum statewide training expectations in English-language instruction and special education.

Sponsor and purpose: Senator Evans, the bill sponsor, said the measure would "establish minimum statewide training expectations for all teacher candidates in English language instruction, and special education [and] require teacher preparation programs to administer a state selected end of program assessment." He said the test would be developed by the Department of Education or under its direction, would not be required for graduation or licensure, and is intended to provide program-level feedback for continuous improvement. Evans cited a Department of Education survey, saying, "44 percent of those who responded to the survey felt well prepared to differentiate instruction for English language learners. Only 63% felt prepared to support students with disabilities in their classroom."

Opposition and concerns: Senators opposing the bill argued it creates new financial and administrative burdens without funding. Senator Donoghue said, "This bill asks more of future teachers, more of preparation programs, and more of our institutions while giving them less," and noted that "each of these exams runs between 150 and $200 per test" with "no appropriation for this bill." Donoghue and others warned that shifting the cost to students could worsen teacher shortages.

Procedure and outcome: Senator Evans obtained unanimous consent to substitute House File 22 30 for Senate File 22 22 and then moved that House File 22 30 be read for the final time and placed on its passage. The secretary conducted a roll-call vote; the secretary reported 28 ayes and 15 nays and declared the bill passed the Senate. Following passage, Senator Evans requested and received unanimous consent to withdraw Senate File 22 22, and the Senate ordered the bill immediately messaged to the House.

What’s next: The bill was sent to the House for further action. The Senate debate focused on how to balance program accountability and data collection against costs for candidates and the absence of a funding appropriation.