279.74 Training and curriculum prohibited — specific defined concepts.
1. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
a. “Race or sex scapegoating” means the same as defined in section 261H.8.
b. “Race or sex stereotyping” means the same as defined in section 261H.8.
c. “Specific defined concepts” means the same as defined in section 261H.8.
2. Each school district may continue training that fosters a workplace and learning environment that is respectful of all employees and students. However, the superintendent of each school district shall ensure that any curriculum or mandatory staff or student training provided by an employee of the school district or by a contractor hired by the school district does not teach, advocate, encourage, promote, or act upon specific stereotyping and scapegoating toward others on the basis of demographic group membership or identity. This subsection shall not be construed as preventing an employee or contractor who teaches any curriculum or who provides mandatory training from responding to questions regarding specific defined concepts raised by participants in the training.
3. School district diversity and inclusion efforts shall discourage students of the school district from discriminating against another by political ideology or any characteristic protected under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Pub. L. No. 88-352, as amended, and applicable state law. Each school district shall prohibit its employees from discriminating against students or employees by political ideology or any characteristic protected under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Pub. L. No. 88-352, as amended, and applicable state law.
4. This section shall not be construed to do any of the following:
a. Inhibit or violate the first amendment rights of students or faculty, or undermine a school district’s duty to protect to the fullest degree intellectual freedom and free expression. The intellectual vitality of students and faculty shall not be infringed under this section.
b. Prevent a school district from promoting racial, cultural, ethnic, intellectual, or academic diversity or inclusiveness, provided such efforts are consistent with the provisions of this section, chapter 216, and other applicable law.
c. Prohibit discussing specific defined concepts as part of a larger course of academic instruction.
d. Create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the state of Iowa, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
e. Prohibit a state or federal court or agency of competent jurisdiction from ordering a training or remedial action containing discussions of specific defined concepts as a remedial action due to a finding of discrimination, including discrimination based on race or sex.
f. Prohibit the use of curriculum that teaches the topics of sexism, slavery, racial oppression, racial segregation, or racial discrimination, including topics relating to the enactment and enforcement of laws resulting in sexism, racial oppression, segregation, and discrimination.
2021 Acts, ch 163, §3
Referred to in §256.11
NEW section
Structure Iowa Code
Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 279 - DIRECTORS — POWERS AND DUTIES
Section 279.1 - Organization — student improvement oversight.
Section 279.2 - Special meetings.
Section 279.3 - Appointment of secretary and treasurer.
Section 279.5 - Temporary officers.
Section 279.6 - Vacancies — qualification — tenure.
Section 279.7 - Vacancies filled by special election — qualification — tenure.
Section 279.7A - Interest in public contracts prohibited — exceptions.
Section 279.8 - General rules — bonds of employees.
Section 279.8A - Traffic and parking.
Section 279.8B - Petition — school board meeting agenda — public comment.
Section 279.9 - Use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or controlled substances.
Section 279.9A - Student transfers — information sharing.
Section 279.9B - Reports to juvenile authorities.
Section 279.10 - School year — beginning date — exemption.
Section 279.11 - Number of schools — attendance — terms — classroom assignment.
Section 279.12 - Contracts — teachers — insurance — educational leave.
Section 279.14 - Evaluation criteria and procedures.
Section 279.14A - Practitioner performance improvement program.
Section 279.15 - Notice of termination — request for hearing.
Section 279.16 - Private hearing — decision — record.
Section 279.17 - Appeal by teacher to adjudicator.
Section 279.18 - Appeal by teacher to court.
Section 279.19 - Probationary period.
Section 279.19A - Extracurricular contracts.
Section 279.19B - Coaching endorsement and authorization.
Section 279.20 - Superintendent — term — employment of support personnel.
Section 279.22 - Residence of employees.
Section 279.23 - Continuing contract for administrators.
Section 279.23A - Evaluation criteria and procedures.
Section 279.24 - Contract with administrators — automatic continuation or termination.
Section 279.25 - Discharge of administrator.
Section 279.26 - Lease arrangements.
Section 279.27 - Discharge of teacher.
Section 279.28 - Insurance — supplies — textbooks.
Section 279.29 - Claims — investments.
Section 279.30 - Payments — exceptions.
Section 279.31 - Settlement with treasurer.
Section 279.32 - Compensation of officers.
Section 279.33 - Annual settlements.
Section 279.34 - Motor vehicles required to operate on ethanol blended gasoline.
Section 279.35 - Publication of proceedings.
Section 279.36 - Publication procedures and fee.
Section 279.37 - Employment of counsel.
Section 279.38 - Membership in association of school boards — audit.
Section 279.38A - Membership in other organizations— reporting requirements.
Section 279.39 - School buildings.
Section 279.41 - Schoolhouses and sites sold — funds.
Section 279.42 - Gifts to schools.
Section 279.43 - Reporting inappropriate teaching assignments.
Section 279.44 - Energy audits.
Section 279.45 - Administrative expenditures.
Section 279.46 - Retirement incentives — tax.
Section 279.47 - Telecommunications — participation by school districts in database development.
Section 279.48 - Equipment purchase.
Section 279.49 - Child care programs.
Section 279.50 - Human growth and development instruction.
Section 279.50A - Educational standards — agreements for mathematics and science units.
Section 279.51 - Programs for at-risk children.
Section 279.51A - Classroom environment — behavioral challenges — reports of violence or assault.
Section 279.52 - Optional funding of asbestos projects.
Section 279.53 - Loan proceeds.
Section 279.54 - School district income surtax.
Section 279.55 - Teacher exchange program.
Section 279.56 - Board participation.
Section 279.57 - Period of exchange.
Section 279.58 - School dress code policies.
Section 279.59 - Access by associations.
Section 279.60 - Assessments — access to data — reports.
Section 279.61 - Individual career and academic plan — report.
Section 279.62 - Nonprofit school organizations.
Section 279.63 - Financial report.
Section 279.64 - Tax-sharing agreements.
Section 279.66 - Discipline and personal conduct standards.
Section 279.67 - Competitive living wage.
Section 279.68 - Student progression — intensive reading instruction — reporting requirements.
Section 279.69 - School employees — background investigations.
Section 279.71 - Student online personal information protection.
Section 279.72 - Training on dyslexia.
Section 279.73 - Intellectual freedom — protection — complaints.
Section 279.74 - Training and curriculum prohibited — specific defined concepts.