File: IHAMB - Family Life/Sex Education File: IHAMB - Family Life/Sex EducationThe Board believes that the purpose of family life and sex education is to help students acquire factual knowledge, skills and attitudes which will result in behavior that contributes to the well-being of the individual, the family and society.
Helping students attain a mature and responsible attitude toward human sexuality is a continuous task of every generation. Parents have the prime responsibility to assist their children in developing moral values. The schools should support and supplement parents' efforts in these areas by offering students factual information and opportunities to discuss concerns, issues and attitudes inherent in family life and sexual behavior including inquiring into traditional moral values.
The school district shall teach about family life and sex education in regular courses on anatomy, physiology, health, home economics, science and so on. If a separate family life or sex education program is developed, it shall be a non-required, noncredit course. Any planned curriculum that includes instruction concerning human sexuality shall be based on scientifically-researched content standards in accordance with state law.
In addition to the requirements listed below, the customary policies and regulations concerning the approval of new curriculum content, units and materials shall apply to any course(s) dealing with family life and sex education offered by the district:
1. Instructional materials to be used in family life/sex education shall be available for inspection by the public during school hours. A public forum shall be scheduled to receive public comments.
2. Parents/guardians of all students shall be notified that such courses have been scheduled and that they may request that their child be exempt from a specific portion of the program on the grounds that it is contrary to their religious beliefs. If the request for the exemption is from a specific portion of the family life/sex education curriculum that concerns human sexuality, no reason must be given by the parent/guardian when requesting the exemption.
3. The notice to parents shall include a detailed, substantive outline of the topics and materials to be presented in the portion of the planned curriculum that concerns human sexuality.
4. The Board shall approve an exemption procedure. If a student is granted an exemption, an alternate educational assignment shall be arranged. Exemptions shall be implemented in a manner that does not draw undue attention to or cause undue embarrassment for students.
5. Teachers who provide instruction in family life/sex education shall have professional preparation in the subject area, either at the pre-service or inservice level.
Adopted August 22, 1995
Revised August 27, 2003
Revised: March 25, 2014
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-1-110.5
C.R.S. 22-25-104 (6)
C.R.S. 22-25-106 (4)
C.R.S. 22-25-110 (2)
20 U.S.C. 7906 (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001)
CROSS REFS.: IGA, Curriculum Development
IGD, Curriculum Adoption
IHAM, Health Education