{"id":354857,"date":"2016-04-04T11:01:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/education\/curriculum-standards-school-funding\/sex-education-in-public-schools.html"},"modified":"2023-11-02T08:16:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:16:40","slug":"sex-education-in-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/curriculum-standards-school-funding\/sex-education-in-public-schools.html","title":{"rendered":"Sex Education in Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sex Education in Public Schools<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

All states offer some degree of sex education to public school children. Public health authorities and school boards emphasize the importance of sex education. They stress the importance of delivering accurate information about reproductive health. They also emphasize instruction on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Finally, these programs teach students about maintaining healthy relationships with others and themselves.<\/p>\r\n

These programs are constantly evolving. In recent years, there has been more emphasis on inclusive instruction. This means addressing LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, and other issues like sexual violence. The area of school-based sexual education is constantly developing.<\/p>\r\n

This page discusses various state approaches to sex education and federal funding programs. For more information, visit FindLaw’s Curriculum Standards and Funding<\/a> section. You can also visit Curriculum and Ideology<\/a> and Curriculum Decision Making<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Comprehensive Sex Education?<\/h2>\r\n

Comprehensive programs generally teach that sexuality is natural and normal. They teach that sex is a healthy part of life. This type of program emphasizes that abstinence is the best way to avoid STDs and unintended pregnancies. They also teach about the use of contraceptives like condoms and birth control. These methods help reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and STDs, including HIV. Comprehensive programs also teach interpersonal communication skills and help young people build healthier relationships.<\/p>\r\n

These programs also provide accurate, factual information on other topics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC), comprehensive programs cover more than just reproductive health. Comprehensive programs may discuss abortion, masturbation, and sexual orientation.<\/p>\r\n

These programs might discuss religious values and how these values might play a role in one’s sexual expression. These programs include topics like human development, relationships, sexual health, and society. They might also address sexual assault, LGBTQ+ issues, and promoting a healthy relationship with one’s body.<\/p>\r\n

The History of Sex Education Programs in Public Schools<\/h2>\r\n

Sex education curriculums in public schools date back decades. Earlier programs did not provide the depth and breadth of programs today. Over the years, public health and education standards have evolved. So have sex education programs. With the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>, instructional materials were updated to be more inclusive. Some now mention topics like LGBTQ+ rights and gender identity.<\/p>\r\n

Beginning in the 1980s, policymakers used tax-payer money to fund abstinence-only programs. There is evidence that these programs are ineffective. Yet, federal funding for these programs continues today. But Congress has reduced funding for abstinence-only programs in recent years. This is because there has been a shift toward more comprehensive sex education.<\/p>\r\n

Funding for Sex Education Initiatives<\/h2>\r\n

Congress has provided funding for two sex education initiatives. These initiatives help support both evidence-based programs and comprehensive approaches. These programs work to prevent unintended teen pregnancy and STIs, including HIV. Additionally, Congress has allowed funding for HIV\/AIDS prevention education. It protected this funding at the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The funding that began in 2010 is under the jurisdiction of the Office of Adolescent Health<\/a> (OAH). This office is within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The OAH works with all relevant agencies to implement the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative<\/a>. It coordinates all activities within HHS relating to adolescent disease prevention.<\/p>\r\n

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is also relevant. This act was passed through the Personal Responsibility Education Program<\/a> (PREP). PREP provides young people with medically accurate and age-appropriate sex education. This is an effort to reduce unintended pregnancy, HIV\/AIDS, and other STDs through evidence-based programs.<\/p>\r\n

What Are Sexual Risk Avoidance Programs?<\/h2>\r\n

Sexual Risk Avoidance Programs are also prominent in the United States. These programs are promoted in states like Utah<\/a> and Tennessee.<\/a> <\/u>They focus primarily on teaching minors to delay sexual activity until marriage. Unlike comprehensive sexual health education programs, these programs often emphasize avoiding sexual risks. The intention is to reduce the risk of STDs and unplanned pregnancies. However, critics argue these programs lack the breadth of information students need.<\/p>\r\n

This type of program emphasizes abstinence. It teaches abstinence as the only correct and moral option for students. These programs generally teach that sexuality outside of marriage will have harmful consequences, including social, psychological, and physical issues. They teach that abstinence is the only acceptable behavior. They emphasize the negative consequences of pre-marital sexuality.<\/p>\r\n

These programs only teach abstinence to prevent and protect students, neglecting other ways. They also censor information about contraception and condoms. Conversations about contraception may be about its failure rates. STDs are taught to be the inevitable result of pre-marital sexual behavior. These programs often omit other topics related to sex, such as masturbation and sexual orientation. These programs also do not address abortion. It’s important to note that abstinence-only programs commonly promote specific religious values. This is true even if these programs are not explicitly labeled as such.<\/p>\r\n

State Sex Education Policies<\/h2>\r\n

Sex education laws for public schools vary across the states. These laws reflect various perspectives across the nation and include educational, cultural, and political ideals. Here are a few examples of how states address sex education curricula across the nation.<\/p>\r\n