Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa House has passed a bill that requires school districts to post a list of books in the school library and provide parents with an outline of how to seek removal of a book.
Under the bill, teachers would have to post the titles of books and other materials they plan to use in class. Representative Phil Thompson, a Republican from Boone, says the bill creates a transparency standard that many schools already follow.
Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, says many schools will have to buy new software to meet this requirement.
Representative Sue Cahill a Democrat who’s a teacher in Marshalltown, says it will lead to more generic lesson plans.
Republican Representative Garret Gobble teaches U.S. history to eighth graders in Ankeny. Gobble says this requirement is manageable.
Two Democrats in the House joined 58 Republicans in supporting the bill. One Republicans and 35 Democrats voted against it. A similar bill was on the Iowa Senate’s schedule for potential debate Wednesday.
