A movement to require high school classes on Iowa history for at least one semester is gaining momentum. A bill passed during the 2006 legislative session allows pilot projects called "Iowa studies" to begin in some schools this fall.
The chair of the Iowa State Historical Society, John Liepa, leads the Iowa Studies Committee. Liepa says, "One of the things I’ve observed is that, over the years, Iowa history has basically been disappearing – both at the K through 12 level and the college level."
"Our goal in the pilot is to come up with a couple dozen schools scattered around the state, by 2010, to introduce a full semester of Iowa studies at the 10th grade level," Liepa says, "and if they can’t have a stand alone course, we hope they at least try and integrate more Iowa history as part of courses they offer in US History, government, civics, or something like that."
Iowa is one of just two states that doesn’t require a state history course. Liepa made his comments on Iowa Public Radio’s "The Exchange".