File: IHAM - Health and Family Life/Sex Education File: IHAM - Health and Family Life/Sex EducationThe Board believes a comprehensive health education program is an integral part of each student's education. The health education program should emphasize the functioning and proper care of the human body and encourage the development of lifelong, positive health habits. In addition, it should inform students about potential physical and mental health hazards they are likely to encounter in various life situations and help them make sound, intelligent decisions when they are confronted with choices that could affect their health or that of others.
The Board further believes that the district's comprehensive health education program should provide information about family life and sex education. While parents have the primary responsibility to assist their children in developing moral values, the district should support and supplement these efforts by offering students factual information and opportunities to discuss the moral and practical concerns, issues and attitudes inherent in family life and sexual behavior.
The district shall teach about family life and sex education in regular courses on anatomy, physiology, science, health, consumer and family studies. If a separate family life or sex education program is developed, it shall not be required. Any curriculum that includes instruction on human sexuality shall be in accordance with applicable law and the district's academic standards.
In addition to the requirements listed below, the Board's policies and regulations concerning the approval of new curriculum and instructional materials shall apply to any comprehensive health education courses offered by the district:
1. The basic curriculum and instructional materials to be used in the district's comprehensive health education program shall be available for inspection by the public during school hours. A forum to receive comments from the public concerning the basic curriculum and instructional materials used in the district's health education program shall be scheduled prior to Board adoption.
2. In accordance with applicable state law, students' parents/guardians shall be notified in writing prior to the student's involvement in the health education course. The notice to parents/guardians shall include a detailed, substantive outline of the topics and materials to be presented.
Does not require students' parents/guardians to state a reason for any requested exemption from any or all portions of the district's health education curriculum.
3. The notice shall also inform students' parents/guardians that they may exempt their child, upon written request, from any portion of the district's health education curriculum.
4. Students shall be provided with alternate educational assignments or activities for credit corresponding to that portion of the planned curriculum from which they are exempt.
Adopted February 12, 1991
Revised January 26, 1993
Revised February 20, 2001
Revised July 14, 2003
Revised October 11, 2004
Revised January 12, 2015
LEGAL REFS.: 20 U.S.C. 7906 (prohibition against the use of Title I funds to operate a program on contraception in the schools contained in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001)
C.R.S. 22-1-128 (education regarding human sexuality)
C.R.S. 22-25-105 (Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Program)
C.R.S. 22-25-106 (4)
C.R.S. 22-25-110 (2)
CROSS REFS.: IG, Curriculum Development
JLC, Student Health Services and Requirements, and subcodes
NOTE 1: 20 U.S.C. 7906 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 states that no Title I funds may be used to:
Develop or distribute materials or operate programs or courses of instruction directed at youth that are designed to promote or encourage sexual activity, whether homosexual or heterosexual. Distribute or aid in the distribution by any organization of legally obscene materials to minors on school grounds. Provide sex education or HIV prevention education in schools unless that instruction is age appropriate and includes the health benefits of abstinence. Operate a program of contraceptive distribution in the schools.
NOTE 2: School districts are encouraged to establish a local student wellness program that includes or is otherwise coordinated with health education, C.R.S. 22-25-106(1)(b). School districts may then seek state funding for their local student wellness programs pursuant to the Comprehensive Health Education Act of 1990. C.R.S. 22-25-105 (1).