A bill for an act relating to participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by school districts by pupils who open enroll for purposes of receiving educational instruction and course content primarily over the internet.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill allows students in online programs to join local school activities if their online school doesn't offer similar options, promoting equitable access.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 176.

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Summary of SSB 1023 (Renumbered as SF 176)

Bill Title: A bill for an act relating to participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by school districts by pupils who open enroll for purposes of receiving educational instruction and course content primarily over the internet.

Bill Number: SSB 1023
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 176
Introduced: January 21, 2025
Classification: Proposed Bill
Subject Areas: Correspondence schools, Education, Extracurricular activities, Internet, Open enrollment, School districts, Students

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SSB 1023 is to clarify the eligibility of students who are enrolled in online educational programs (specifically those that provide instruction primarily over the internet) to participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities offered by their local school districts. The bill aims to ensure that students who open enroll in these online programs have equitable access to school-sponsored activities, provided that their online school does not offer similar activities.

Key Provisions

Eligibility for Participation:

The bill stipulates that students enrolled in online educational programs may participate in cocurricular and extracurricular activities of their district of residence only if the online school does not sponsor such activities.

Nonsubstantive Changes:

The bill also includes nonsubstantive and stylistic changes to Iowa Code section 282.18(12), which governs open enrollment and related educational provisions.

Impact

Affected Parties:

Students: The bill directly impacts students who are enrolled in online educational programs, allowing them to engage in school activities if their online institution does not provide those options.
School Districts: Local school districts will need to adapt their policies to accommodate these students and ensure compliance with the new provisions.
Online Educational Institutions: Schools that provide education primarily over the internet will need to assess their offerings to determine if they sponsor cocurricular or extracurricular activities.

Legislative Timeline

January 21, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Education Committee.

January 22, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held; members included Taylor, Shipley, and Staed.

January 23, 2025: Subcommittee recommends passage of the bill.

January 30, 2025: Committee report approving the bill; it is renumbered as SF 176.

This summary provides an overview of SSB 1023, highlighting its intent, key provisions, and the potential impact on students and school districts. The bill seeks to enhance the educational experience for students enrolled in online programs by allowing them access to extracurricular opportunities, thereby promoting inclusivity within the educational system.