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HF 784

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to mathematics instruction, practitioner preparation programs, and the duties of the director of the department of education, and including effective date provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Mandates K–6 math screening and targeted interventions, boosts teacher math training, and provides a state plan and family resources, funded from district state aid.

Signed by Governor.
#education #mathematics #teachers
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Bill Summary · HF 784

HF 784 — Summary (Chapter 121, 2025)

Status and timeline
- Introduced: March 5, 2025.
- Enacted: Approved by Governor Kim Reynolds, June 2, 2025.
- Chapter: CH. 121 (House File 784).

Purpose
- Strengthen K–12 mathematics instruction and early identification/intervention for students at risk in mathematics by (1) expanding Department of Education duties and resources, (2) adding preparation requirements for teacher-practice programs, and (3) requiring regular screening and targeted interventions for K–6 students.

Key provisions

  1. Department of Education duties (amends section 256.9)
  2. Require DE to develop and distribute family‑centered resources to help families support math learning at home (to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools).
  3. Provide evidence‑based professional development in high‑quality mathematics instruction to teachers in schools “most in need of support” (director to consider school math proficiency and available resources).
  4. On or before July 1, 2025, develop and distribute a comprehensive state mathematics plan focused on systematic/sequential instruction in subitizing, cardinality, object and verbal counting, spatial relationships, benchmark numbers, and part–part–whole models. (This provision took effect upon enactment.)

  5. Publish on DE’s website a list of valid and reliable K–6 mathematics screeners teachers may use.

  6. Teacher preparation (amends section 256.16)

  7. Require practitioner preparation programs to include methods for teaching mathematics. Institutions may meet this by requiring admitted candidates who will teach math K–12 to complete math methods coursework and demonstrate competency in number sense, learning progressions, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency/application, and use of high‑quality instructional materials aligned to Iowa standards.

  8. Student progression — mathematics proficiency (new section 279.68A)

  9. Each school district must administer a DE‑approved mathematics screener to all K–6 students at least three times per school year.

  10. If a student is “persistently at risk” (defined as failing to meet the grade‑level benchmark on two consecutive screeners), the district must:

    • Assess the student at least every other week and implement math interventions/supports;
    • Develop a personalized mathematics plan in consultation with parents/guardians identifying interventions/supports;
    • Provide small‑group interventions if the student is making expected progress; provide intensive interventions if not.

  11. Continue assessments, plans, and interventions until the student reaches benchmark on the statewide summative math assessment or on two consecutive DE screeners (whichever comes first).

  12. State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement this section.

Funding and effective date
- State mandate funding: Any state cost for compliance is specified to be paid from the district’s state school foundation aid under section 257.16; the Act states no additional state funding is provided.
- Effective date: The portion creating the state mathematics plan (256.9(71)) was made immediately effective upon enactment (June 2, 2025). Other provisions become effective according to Iowa law’s standard rules unless otherwise specified.

Who is affected
- Public school districts (directly required to screen and provide interventions for K–6).
- Accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools (recipients of DE resources, the math plan, and screener list).
- Higher education institutions with approved practitioner preparation programs and teacher candidates who will teach mathematics K–12.
- K–6 students and their families (screening, personalized plans, and parent consultation).

Notes
- Several proposed amendments were filed during debate (including attempts to expand applicability to nonpublic settings and to set applicability dates); the enrolled bill reflects the final adopted language and the Governor’s approval.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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