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IOWA Abstinence Education in Iowa Iowa Sexuality Education Law and Policy Iowa mandates that health education be taught in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Iowa law details what must be included in health education by grade. In first through sixth grade, “the health curriculum shall include the characteristics of communicable diseases including acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS].” In seventh and eighth grade, health education must “include the characteristics of sexually transmitted disease and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.” In ninth through twelfth grade (students must take health education at least once during these four grades), health education must include information on “the prevention and control of disease, including sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.” The state does not require or suggest any particular curricula, leaving this decision to the local district. However, Iowa's educational mandate states that: “the rules of the state board shall require that a multicultural, nonsexist approach is used by schools and school districts. The educational program shall be taught from a multicultural, nonsexist approach. Global perspectives shall be incorporated into all levels of the educational program.” Parents or guardians may remove their children from any part of health education courses if the course conflicts with the student's religious beliefs. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy. See Iowa Code 279.50, 256.11, and Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.5. Parents for Truth Member Organizations in Iowa Equipping Youth Other Abstinence Education Organizations in Iowa |