Sexual Health And HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction

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. The 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. Parent/Guardian Notification and Excuse At 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) - That written and audiovisual educational materials to be used in comprehensive sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention education are available for inspection - That parents/guardians may request in writing that their child not receive comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education - That parents/guardians have a right to request a copy of Education Code 51930-51939 - Whether the comprehensive sexual health or HIV/AIDS prevention education will be taught by district personnel or outside consultants If 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) - The date of the instruction - The name of the organization or affiliation of each guest speaker - Information stating the right of the parent/guardian to request a copy of Education Code 51933-51934 If 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) The 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) Parents/guardians shall be asked to sign and return to the school an acknowledgment that they have received the notification. Upon 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) A 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)