Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 4/26/22 (reviewed), 3/28/23 (reviewed), 8/22/23 (updated), 3/26/24 (reviewed), 4/8/25 (reviewed), 8/12/25 (updated), 3/10/26 (updated)

Students in grade levels one through twelve will receive, as part of their health education, instruction about personal health; food and nutrition; environmental health; safety and survival skills; consumer health; family life; age-appropriate and research-based human growth and development; substance abuse and non-use, including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and poisons on the human body; human sexuality; selfesteem; stress management; interpersonal relationships; emotional and social health; health resources;
prevention and control of disease; and communicable diseases. In grades five through twelve, the ageappropriate and research- based instruction in human growth and development shall include all of the following:

• Instruction related to human development inside the womb.
• A high- definition ultrasound video showing the presence of the brain, heart, and other vital organs in early fetal development.
• A high- quality, computer- generated rendering or animation, or an ultrasound or other real image, that depicts the humanity of the unborn child by showing prenatal human development, starting at fertilization, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development throughout every stage of pregnancy.

The purpose of the health education program is to help each student protect, improve and maintain physical, emotional and social well-being.

The areas stated above are included in health education and the instruction are adapted at each grade level in compliance with relevant laws to aid understanding by the students.

Parents who object to health education instruction in human growth and development may file a written request that the student be excused from the instruction.

 

Policy References:

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 256.11; 279.8; 80; 280.3-.14.
281 I.A.C. 12.5.

SF175