Designed to facilitate development of local school district curricula, this document provides science educators with guidelines for conducting an assessment of K-14 programs as well as offering "essential" process skills and knowledge items for synthesizing the most appropriate student outcomes in science courses. The booklet is divided into three major sections. The first section presents a rationale, philosophy, and goals for a school's science program. The second section, "Scope/Sequence/Strategies" presents: (1) the Iowa Science Curriculum Model; (2) a science process skills hierarchy; (3) suggested levels of emphasis; and (4) suggestions for curriculum emphasis and development in life science, earth science, and physical science. The third section of the guide urges that an evaluation component be built into the curriculum with an implementation schedule, and addresses two evaluation categories: program quality and student progress. The appendices include the "Code of Iowa" requirements and standards applicable to science education and a list of resources for science teachers. (TW)