- Iowa state law requires the teaching of sexuality education, though curricula are not required to be comprehensive, nor is it required to include instruction on consent. It must, however, be medically accurate.
- All sex ed instruction must be free of bias based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender.
- 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.
- Iowa Code 256.11 mandates that research-based, age-appropriate health education be taught in grades Kâ12, and must include information on communicable diseases.
Some Sex Ed Advocates Within the State
- EyesOpenIowa and their Working to Institutionalize Sex Ed (WISE) Iowa Project
For more detailed information on how various districts in the state have been implementing these standards â and for recent legislation â you can read SIECUS’s Iowa profile.