Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Signs Charter School, Homeschooling Bill into Law

The fire, the vote, the triumph — when it happens, Decorah News shows up. Support us being there. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said a measure she signed into law Tuesday on charter school funding and homeschool rules is "yet another step to put students first" in the state as part of Republicans' "school choice" agenda. As she signed the bill, the governor was joined by students, families and administrators at Des Moines Prep, a charter school that opened in August 2025, as well as some of the lawmakers who supported the legislation this session. Reynolds said five years ago, Iowa only had two charter schools in operation. Today, she said, there are 10 charter schools operating across the state, and another eight authorized to open. "And demand continues to grow, all thanks to Iowa's adoption and expansion of school choice," Reynolds said. "Our 'students first' approach has been focused on giving options to families — the option to decide what works best for their kids, and to have their tax dollars follow them to the school of their choice, whether that's a public school in their school district of residence, or another local district, a public charter school, a private school, or homeschool. And the bill I'm signing today further strengthens that commitment." House File 2754 makes changes to how education funding flows to charter schools versus public school districts. The measure moves funding from the state's Teacher Salary Supplement cost per pupil to the charter school where a student is enrolled. It also adds charter school teachers to the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS). Previously, this funding stayed with the public school district where a student resides. The shift would direct roughly $1.3 million to charter schools, according to a Legislative Services Agency estimate. The measure also provides low-interest loans for charter school companies to buy facilities in the state through a revolving loan program fund operated by the Iowa Finance Authority. While funding is shifted, the law also requires public schools to allow charter school students to participate in extracurricular activities — including sports and music programs — if those activities are not offered by the charter school. During debate earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers said the bill would add new costs to Iowa public schools while diverting funding to charter schools. Sen. Jesse Green, R-Harcourt, said the measure will help strengthen education for Iowa students in all forms of schooling. "I've continually been faced with the question, 'How can Iowa become number one in education again?'" Green said. "The equation is simple. It's competition plus innovation and support equals success." Green linked the new funding support for charter schools to the state's Education Savings Account program, which provides public funding for private school students' tuition and associated costs. He said the ESA program has led to more private schools opening in Iowa, driving competition in education, and that charter school expansion means "innovation can now occur within the public sector as well." New law removes some homeschool limits The House also amended the measure to include several provisions related to homeschooling. Previously, Iowa law limited independent private instructors to teaching no more than four unrelated students at one time and prohibited charging tuition, fees or other compensation for homeschooling services. Those restrictions are removed under the new law. Green said, "In this bill, we remove red tape to allow private homeschool families to instruct and support as many students as they see fit in their situation." During session debate, Democrats argued the changes could put homeschooled children at greater risk because private homeschool instructors and learning spaces are not required to meet the same safety standards or educational requirements as traditional schools. Fresh stories, delivered! Sign up for the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.