CURRENT GRADE: A
Iowa may be one of the best states in the nation for education freedom. All students are eligible to receive tax dollars for private education starting in 2025-2026. Many other options to include scholarship accounts with tax credits and online programs. Charter schools are not governed by local school boards.
Homeschooling is very parent friendly with minimal requirements.
Compulsory education is required for children ages 6-16 years old.
Education Options
- Students First Education Savings Accounts
- Eligibility: Starting in 2025-26 all Iowa resident K-12 students attending an Iowa accredited nonpublic school regardless of income.
- In 2024-25 each student eligible received approx. $7,800.
- School Tuition Organizations
- Provides grant funding for students to attend nonpublic accredited schools.
- Donations receive a tax credit equal to 75% of total contribution.
- Online Schools
- Many different options provided, both public and private.
- Charter Schools
- Public school governed by a governing board independent of a school committee with oversight of the State Board of Education.
- Can organize around a core mission, curriculum, theme, and/or teaching method and to control its own budget and hire (and fire) teachers and staff.
- Must produce positive results within 5 years.
Homeschooling Laws
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Here are state requirements on the topic of homeschooling:
- Several options that are either accredited or nonaccredited.
- It is suggested that notification be made to the zoned district so truancy is not assumed.
- District Superintendent may request a report from a parent information identifying primary instructor, location, authority responsible for homeschooling and names of students enrolled.
Religious Exemptions:
The state has no formal laws related to religious exemptions but there are no requirements or notifications to homeschool.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
