Gov. Kim Reynolds has introduced legislation to the Iowa House and Senate that would align state funding and educational access for public charter school students with those attending traditional public schools.
The proposal would allow all state per-pupil funding to follow a student from their district of residence to a public charter school. Under current law, public charter schools receive less state funding than traditional public school districts.
Iowa’s charter school system has expanded rapidly in recent years. In 2021, the state had two public charter schools. Today, 19 charter schools have been approved, and enrollment has increased 213 percent from fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2025.
The bill would update state code to establish a clear pathway for public charter school students to access concurrent enrollment courses and participate in athletics through their resident public school districts. It also proposes to include public charter schools as eligible sites for student teaching assignments.
The legislation now moves to the Iowa Legislature for consideration.
