Violence in Iowa's schools is real, underreported, and preventable. Students for Safe Schools equips families with their legal rights, holds schools accountable, and calls on legislators to act. Because no child can learn when they are afraid.
If your child has witnessed or been a victim of school violence, you have more legal tools than most parents realize. Here is what Iowa law says — and what some school policies are doing to hide the truth.
Iowa is a one-party consent state (Iowa Code §808B.2(2)(c)). This means that as long as one person in a conversation or interaction consents to being recorded, the recording is legal under state law. If your child is present during a fight, a threatening confrontation, or any incident they are part of — they have the legal right to record it.
Under Iowa law, video recording (without audio) in a public area where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy — like a school hallway — is generally permissible. Audio recording requires at least one party's consent. A student recording video of a fight they are present at has a strong legal argument that they are acting within their rights.
Many Iowa schools refuse to share video footage of violent incidents with the parents of student victims, claiming protection under FERPA — the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This is often a misapplication of the law.
FERPA was designed to protect students' educational records — grades, disciplinary files, health records, and similar documents. It was not intended to provide blanket protection for all activity occurring within a school building. A video recording of a violent incident in a hallway is not an "educational record" in any reasonable interpretation of that law.
If you and your child decide — with full awareness of your school's policies and legal guidance — that documentation is appropriate, here are the types of devices commonly used. Always involve your child in this decision; they should understand what they are doing and why.
The most accessible option. Modern phones record high-quality video and audio discreetly. Consider cloud backup enabled so footage is preserved immediately.
Small digital voice recorders can capture audio in a pocket or backpack. Search for "digital voice recorder" on Amazon or at electronics retailers.
Wearable cameras designed for personal documentation. Search "small wearable body camera" — many options are available under $50 at retailers like Best Buy or Amazon.
If your child has documented an incident of school violence, you can submit it to us. We will work with you to ensure it is used legally and — if you choose — anonymously. No recording will be shared publicly without your explicit consent.
Learn How to SubmitHelp us protect Iowa's kids. Every contribution keeps this effort going.
♥ Please Help Us Make Schools SafeWe believe the vast majority of Iowa educators and administrators entered this profession to make a difference. We are not adversaries. But we are calling on schools to take school violence seriously — and to stop hiding it.
Research is unambiguous: students cannot learn when they feel unsafe. Fear, anxiety, and trauma directly impair memory, attention, and cognitive development. A school that tolerates or downplays violence is not just failing on safety — it is failing its core academic mission.
Iowa schools are required to report incidents of violence and school safety data to the state. We are asking a simple question: does your reported data match what is actually happening in your building?
When official reports show minimal incidents but students, families, and teachers tell a very different story — and when recorded evidence contradicts official accounts — schools face a credibility crisis that is far more damaging than honestly confronting the problem.
Report violent incidents accurately to the Iowa Department of Education. Community trust depends on it.
Stop punishing students for documenting violence they witnessed or experienced. Review recording policies with an eye toward student rights.
When a violent incident involves a student, their parents deserve access to relevant information — including video evidence — in a timely manner.
Support this initiative — help us work with schools toward real solutions.
♥ Please Help Support This InitiativeMultiple states have already acted on classroom cameras and school safety transparency. Iowa has considered — and backed away from — similar legislation. The time to act is now.
Iowa legislators are not being asked to pioneer uncharted territory. A growing number of states have passed classroom camera legislation, primarily focused on special education settings, with some extending to broader school safety purposes:
| State | Law Status | Scope | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Enacted 2015 | Special Ed classrooms | Required upon parent or staff request; includes audio |
| West Virginia | Enacted | Special Ed classrooms | Mandatory upon request, conditioned on funding |
| Louisiana | Enacted | Special Ed classrooms | Mandatory camera requirement |
| Alabama | Enacted 2023 | Classrooms | Required when funding is available |
| Georgia | Permissive | Special Ed classrooms | Authorized but not mandated |
| Florida | Expanding | Self-contained classrooms | Pilot program converting to broader requirement |
| Iowa | No Law | — | Legislation considered but not passed |
Classroom cameras protect students and staff. Iowa teachers have been injured restraining violent students. Cameras provide an objective record that protects everyone. What happens in Iowa classrooms should not be a mystery to parents and communities.
Official school video recordings should be the property of local law enforcement, not school districts. When law enforcement is present — as with School Resource Officers — this is already how it works. That standard should apply universally, removing the conflict of interest that allows schools to control evidence of incidents involving their own failures.
Students should not be suspended for recording a fight they witnessed. Iowa law should explicitly protect students who use recording devices to document violent incidents on school property, provided they are party to the interaction or in a public area of the school.
Help us bring this message to every Iowa legislator who needs to hear it.
♥ Please Help Us Make Schools SafeIf your child documented an incident of school violence, you can send it to us. We will ensure it is handled legally and, if you choose, your identity and your child's identity can remain completely anonymous.
Every submission is reviewed by our team. We will contact you (if you provide contact info) to discuss how the recording can best be used — whether that means sharing with law enforcement, the media, or state officials.
No recording or identifying information will ever be shared publicly without your explicit written consent. Anonymity is a full option — you can submit evidence without revealing who you are.
We will not use or share any recording in a way that violates Iowa or federal law. We take legal compliance seriously, and we will flag any concerns before taking any action with your submission.
Email us at iowadigitalhub@gmail.com with a brief description of the incident (school, date, what occurred). We will respond with secure instructions for sending your file. Please do not attach video files to your initial email — wait for our response with secure upload instructions.
Every Iowa family has the right to choose an educational environment that is safe and appropriate for their child. If your public school is not providing that, you have options.
The Iowa Department of Education provides information on charter schools, open enrollment, and private school options available to Iowa families. We encourage every family to explore what's available in their area.
Students for Safe Schools is a parent-led initiative run entirely by volunteers. Every dollar goes directly toward spreading awareness, supporting affected families, and pushing for the policy changes Iowa's kids deserve.
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Have a story to share? A question about your rights? Want to get involved? We'd like to hear from you.
📧 iowadigitalhub@gmail.com
Students for Safe Schools is an Iowa parent-led initiative.
We are currently expanding to serve families across the country.