HF 2081 (LSB 5682YH (1) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2081

BY  JONES

A BILL FOR

An Act modifying provisions related to the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve by allowing instruction related to agriculture to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to science.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph a, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Five units of science including.
   (1)  The five units of science shall include physics and chemistry; the units of physics and chemistry, which may be taught in alternate years.
   (2)  The five units of science may include instruction related to agriculture, which may be offered and taught through dedicated units of coursework or through units of coursework that also meet the requirements of the coursework required under paragraph “h”, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (a).
    Sec. 2.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, paragraph g, Code 2024, is amended to read as follows:
   g.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.7, subsection 21, and the educational standards of section 256.11, unless specifically waived by the state board during the application process; provided, however, that the state board shall not waive the educational standards established in section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “a”, related to the use of instruction related to agriculture to fulfill unit requirements related to science.
    Sec. 3.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  p.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 256.11, subsection 5, paragraph “a”, relating to the use of instruction related to agriculture to fulfill unit requirements related to science in the same manner as a school district.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill modifies provisions related to the curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools by allowing instruction related to agriculture to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to science. The bill provides that such instruction related to agriculture may be taught through dedicated units of coursework or through units of coursework that also meet the requirements related to agriculture, food, and natural resources instruction under the career and technical education curriculum.