Iowa House Subcommittee Passes Bill to Alter Career Academy Offerings, Credit Transfers

Legislation would add new requirements to career academies and articulation agreements between community colleges and public universities.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Iowa House has passed a bill that would make changes to career academies and the credit transfer agreement between state and community colleges. The legislation, proposed by the Iowa Department of Education, would add new requirements to career academies and the articulation agreements that allow credit transfers between community colleges and public universities.

Why it matters

The bill aims to provide more opportunities for high school students to earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials, which could help them get a head start on their postsecondary education and careers.

The details

House Study Bill 572 would require career academies to include at least two units of secondary education, with one needing to meet district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program requirements. The legislation would also add career and technical education to the credits that would transfer seamlessly from community colleges to a university governed by the Iowa Board of Regents, determined by a statewide articulation agreement. Additionally, the bill would require the creation of a fund for high school students hoping to earn community college credit in a high-demand job field outside of the regular school year.

  • The Iowa House subcommittee passed the bill on February 10, 2026.

The players

Iowa Department of Education

The state agency that proposed the legislation.

Iowa Board of Regents

The governing body for public universities in Iowa, which has had conversations with the Iowa Department of Education about language clarification in the bill.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler

The Republican representative who chaired the subcommittee that passed the bill.

Rep. Timi Brown-Powers

The Democratic representative who co-chaired the subcommittee and praised the summer career education programming in the bill.

Rep. John Wills

The Republican representative who co-chaired the subcommittee that passed the bill.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's fantastic. I wish they had it when my sons were young.”

— Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, Democratic Representative (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“The board has had conversations with the Iowa Department of Education about language clarification in order to ensure additional burdens are not unintentionally placed on students.”

— Jillian Carlson, State Relations Officer, Iowa Board of Regents (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

What’s next

The bill will now head to the full Iowa House Higher Education Committee for further consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to expand opportunities for high school students to earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials, which could help them get a head start on their postsecondary education and careers. The bill has received support from education stakeholders, but the Iowa Board of Regents has raised concerns about potential unintended burdens on students.