A bill for an act providing for education on the holocaust for students and teachers in school districts.

Iowa House Bill 336 (HF336) mandates that all school districts in Iowa provide age-appropriate education about the Holocaust to middle and high school students. This instruction is to be integrated into existing courses and should cover specific content outlined in the bill. Additionally, the bill requires that teachers who deliver this instruction receive professional development on the Holocaust, which will count toward their individual professional development plans. School districts are encouraged to use appropriate public or private resources to develop and implement this education. The Department of Education is tasked with submitting an annual report to the governor and the general assembly detailing the number of school districts offering this education. The bill is designed to be implemented by the school year beginning July 1, 2025.

Positive media analysis is being generated.

Although direct media reactions to HF336 are not found, similar bills have faced criticism in other regions. Detractors may argue that mandating specific historical content could infringe upon local control of curricula or place additional burdens on teachers and school districts. Some may also express concerns about the potential for politicization of educational content or question the allocation of resources for implementing such mandates.