The Board believes that comprehensive sexual health education provides students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices and prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The Board supports the provision of comprehensive sexual health education that provides accurate information and supports the positive development of young people.
\n\nThe Superintendent or designee may appoint a coordinator and an advisory committee regarding the district's comprehensive sexual health program. This advisory committee shall represent a divergence of viewpoints and may participate in planning, implementing and evaluating the district's comprehensive sexual health education program. The Board shall consider the advisory committee's recommendations when approving the district's program.
\n\nParent/Guardian Notification and Excuse
\n\nAt the beginning of each school year, or at the time of a student's enrollment, parents/guardians shall be notified about instruction in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education, as well as research on student health behaviors and risks, planned for the coming year. The notice shall advise parents/guardians: (Education Code 48980, 51938)
\n\nIf the arrangements for instruction by outside consultants or guest speakers are made after the beginning of the school year, the district shall notify parents/guardians by mail or another commonly used method of notification no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is given. (Education Code 51938)
\n\nThe district may administer to students in grades 7-8 anonymous, voluntary, and confidential research and evaluation instruments, including tests and surveys, containing age-appropriate questions about their attitudes or practices relating to sex. Prior to administering such a research and evaluation instrument, parents/guardians shall be provided written notice of the administration. Parents/guardians shall be given an opportunity to review the research instrument and to request in writing that their child not participate. (Education Code 51938, 51939)
\n\nParents/guardians shall be asked to sign and return to the school an acknowledgment that they have received the notification.
\n\nUpon written request, a parent/guardian may excuse his/her child from participating in comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education or from participating in questionnaires or surveys regarding health behaviors and risks. Students so excused by their parents/guardians shall be given an alternative educational activity. (Education Code 51240, 51939)
\n\nA student shall not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction if the student's parent/guardian declines to permit the student to receive the instruction. (Education Code 51939)
\n\n\n", "contentText": "The Board believes that comprehensive sexual health education provides students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices and prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The Board supports the provision of comprehensive sexual health education that provides accurate information and supports the positive development of young people.\n\nThe Superintendent or designee may appoint a coordinator and an advisory committee regarding the district's comprehensive sexual health program. This advisory committee shall represent a divergence of viewpoints and may participate in planning, implementing and evaluating the district's comprehensive sexual health education program. The Board shall consider the advisory committee's recommendations when approving the district's program.\n\nParent/Guardian Notification and Excuse\n\nAt the beginning of each school year, or at the time of a student's enrollment, parents/guardians shall be notified about instruction in comprehensive sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education, as well as research on student health behaviors and risks, planned for the coming year. The notice shall advise parents/guardians: (Education Code 48980, 51938)\n\n- That written and audiovisual educational materials to be used in comprehensive sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention education are available for inspection\n\n- That parents/guardians may request in writing that their child not receive comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education\n\n- That parents/guardians have a right to request a copy of Education Code 51930-51939\n\n- Whether the comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education will be taught by district personnel or outside consultants\n\n\tIf the district chooses to use outside consultants or to hold an assembly with guest speakers to teach the comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education, the notification shall include: (Education Code 51938)\n\n- The date of the instruction\n\n- The name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker\n\n- Information stating the right of the parent/guardian to request a copy of Education Code 51933-51934\n\nIf the arrangements for instruction by outside consultants or guest speakers are made after the beginning of the school year, the district shall notify parents/guardians by mail or another commonly used method of notification no fewer than 14 days before the instruction is given. (Education Code 51938)\n\nThe district may administer to students in grades 7-8 anonymous, voluntary, and confidential research and evaluation instruments, including tests and surveys, containing age-appropriate questions about their attitudes or practices relating to sex. Prior to administering such a research and evaluation instrument, parents/guardians shall be provided written notice of the administration. Parents/guardians shall be given an opportunity to review the research instrument and to request in writing that their child not participate. (Education Code 51938, 51939)\n\nParents/guardians shall be asked to sign and return to the school an acknowledgment that they have received the notification.\n\nUpon written request, a parent/guardian may excuse his/her child from participating in comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education or from participating in questionnaires or surveys regarding health behaviors and risks. Students so excused by their parents/guardians shall be given an alternative educational activity. (Education Code 51240, 51939)\n\nA student shall not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction if the student's parent/guardian declines to permit the student to receive the instruction. (Education Code 51939)", "footnotes": [ { "type": "State", "references": [ { "code": "Ed. Code 220", "description": "Prohibition of discrimination", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=220." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 231.7", "description": "Resources on abuse and teen dating violence; local and national hotlines", "url": "" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 232.7", "description": "Model policy and resources; body shaming", "url": "" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 33544", "description": "Inclusion of sexual harassment and violence in health curriculum framework", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=33544." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 33546.2", "description": "Health framework for California public schools; sextortion", "url": "" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 48980", "description": "Parent/Guardian notifications", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=48980." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 49381", "description": "Human trafficking prevention resources", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=49381." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51202", "description": "Instruction in personal and public health and safety", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51202." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51210.8", "description": "Health education curriculum", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51210.8." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51225.36", "description": "Instruction in sexual harassment and violence; districts that require health education for graduation", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51225.36." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51240", "description": "Excuse from instruction due to religious beliefs", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51240." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51513", "description": "Test, questionnaire, survey, or examination containing questions about beliefs or practices", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51513." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51930-51939", "description": "California Healthy Youth Act", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=EDC&division=4.&title=2.&part=28.&chapter=5.6.&article=" }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51950", "description": "Abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking prevention education", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51950." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 67386", "description": "Student safety; affirmative consent standard", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=67386." }, { "code": "H&S Code 1255.7", "description": "Parents surrendering physical custody of a baby", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=1255.7." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 243.4", "description": "Sexual battery", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=243.4." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 261.5", "description": "Unlawful sexual intercourse", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=261.5." }, { "code": "Pen. Code 271.5", "description": "Parents voluntarily surrendering custody of a baby", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=271.5." } ] }, { "type": "Federal", "references": [ { "code": "20 USC 1232h", "description": "Privacy rights", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:1232h%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section1232h)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true" }, { "code": "20 USC 7906", "description": "Sex education requirements and prohibited use of funds", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:7906%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section7906)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true" }, { "code": "California Department of Education Publication", "description": "Body Shaming Model Policy & Resources", "url": "https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mh/bodyshaming.asp" }, { "code": "California Department of Education Publication", "description": "Health Education Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten through Grade 12, May 2019", "url": "https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/he/cf/documents/healthedframework2019.pdf" } ] }, { "type": "Management Resources", "references": [ { "code": "California Department of Education Publication", "description": "Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2008 ", "url": "https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/healthstandmar08.pdf" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025) 606 U.S. ____ (2025 WL 1773627)", "url": "" }, { "code": "CSBA Publication", "description": "Promoting Healthy Relationships for Adolescents: Board Policy Considerations, Governance Brief, August 2014", "url": "https://www.csba.org/-/media/CSBA/Files/GovernanceResources/GovernanceBriefs/201408_GBHealthyRelationships.ashx?la=en&rev=c7eca3dd0da24d4293ce675bb6463f8d" }, { "code": "Human Rights Campaign Foundation Publication", "description": "California LGBTQ Youth Report, January 2019", "url": "https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/YouthReport-California-Final.pdf" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services", "url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "Human Rights Campaign", "url": "http://www.hrc.org/hrc-story/hrc-foundation" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "U.S. Food and Drug Administration", "url": "http://www.fda.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Partnership to End Domestic Violence", "url": "http://www.cpedv.org" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Safe Schools Coalition", "url": "http://www.casafeschools.org" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Department of Education, Sex Education and HIV/AIDS/STD Instruction", "url": "http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/se" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Department of Public Health", "url": "http://www.cdph.ca.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Healthy Kids Resource Center", "url": "http://www.ccrcca.org/resources/family-resource-directory/item/california-healthy-kids-resource-center" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", "url": "http://www.cdc.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA", "url": "http://www.csba.org" } ] } ], "crossRefs": [ { "code": "0410", "title": "Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.3", "title": "Uniform Complaint Procedures", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1312.3", "title": "Uniform Complaint Procedures", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4131", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "4131", "title": "Staff Development", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5020", "title": "Parent Rights And Responsibilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5020", "title": "Parent Rights And Responsibilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5022", "title": "Student And Family Privacy Rights", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5022", "title": "Student And Family Privacy Rights", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5030", "title": "Student Wellness", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.22", "title": "Infectious Diseases", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.22", "title": "Infectious Diseases", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.3", "title": "Nondiscrimination/Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.3", "title": "Nondiscrimination/Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.6", "title": "Parent/Guardian Notifications", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.6-E PDF(1)", "title": "Parent/Guardian Notifications", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.7", "title": "Sexual Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.7", "title": "Sexual Harassment", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5146", "title": "Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5146", "title": "Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6141", "title": "Curriculum Development And Evaluation", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.93", "title": "Science Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6144", "title": "Controversial Issues", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6144", "title": "Controversial Issues", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.8", "title": "Assemblies And Special Events", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6159", "title": "Individualized Education Program", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6159", "title": "Individualized Education Program", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6161.11", "title": "Supplementary Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6174", "title": "Education For English Learners", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6174", "title": "Education For English Learners", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6174-E PDF(1)", "title": "Education For English Learners - Education For English Language Learners", "type": "AR" } ], "attachments": [] }