House File 2670 amends various sections of Iowa's education code to enhance academic assessment and curriculum standards for K-12 education. Key changes include the requirement for students in grades three through eleven to take assessments in mathematics and English language arts, and for students in grades five, eight, and eleven to take assessments in science, as well as social studies for grades eight and eleven. The bill also mandates that these assessments align with Iowa's academic standards and meet federal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Additionally, the bill updates health curriculum requirements to include comprehensive topics such as nutrition, physical fitness, and age-appropriate information on sexually transmitted diseases.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of suicide prevention protocols in schools and establishes a framework for guidance counseling programs. It specifies that school districts must comply with new educational standards related to health and kindergarten programs, as well as the integration of applied sciences and agriculture into mathematics instruction. The bill also clarifies that the state will cover the costs associated with these mandates through existing school foundation aid, ensuring that no additional state funding is required for implementation. The provisions of this act will apply to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.7, 256.9, 256.11, 256.17, 279.80, 279.73, 256E.7, 279.81
Reprinted: 256.7, 256.9, 256.11, 256.17, 279.80, 279.73, 256E.7, 279.81
Enrolled: 256.7, 256.9, 256.11, 256.17, 279.80, 279.73, 256E.7, 279.81