Iowa Gov. Signs Bill Requiring Students at Public Colleges to Take American Government and History Courses

In this Legal Insurrection article, Mike LaChance reports that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed legislation requiring undergraduates at Iowa’s public universities to complete American history and American government coursework.

• The new law applies to students at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa.
• Beginning in fall 2028, undergraduates will be required to complete an introductory survey course in American history and an introductory survey course in American government.
• The courses will not simply be selected by each department at random; designated civics centers at the universities will determine which courses satisfy the requirement.
• At Iowa State University, the Center for Cyclone Civics will designate qualifying courses.
• At the University of Northern Iowa, the Center for Civic Education will handle that role.
• At the University of Iowa, only the Center for Intellectual Freedom will be permitted to offer courses that meet the new requirements.
• The University of Iowa’s Center for Intellectual Freedom was created by the state legislature as a hub focused on American civics, constitutional thought, foundational debates, and traditional education.
• The article notes concern from National Association of Scholars spokesman Chance Layton, who warned that the plan could fail if the courses are captured by activist professors rather than politically neutral civics and history teachers.
• Legal Insurrection frames the development as a common-sense requirement, asking why American government and history are not already mandatory for public college students in all 50 states.

Read the full story:
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/06/iowa-gov-signs-bill-requiring-students-at-public-colleges-to-take-american-government-and-history-courses/