Administrative Regulation

AR 6142.1

Instruction

Family Life/Sex Education

Course Material/Instruction

In all sex education courses that discuss sexual intercourse, course material and instruction shall: (Education Code 51553)

1. Emphasize that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only protection that is 100% effective against unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually.

2. Be age appropriate.

3. Present factual information, including but not limited to medical, psychiatric, psychological, empirical and statistical statements, that is medically accurate.

Medically accurate means verified or supported by research conducted in compliance with scientific methods and published in peer-review journals, where appropriate, and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. When discussing contraception, stress that abstinence is the only contraceptive method which is 100% effective, and that all other methods of contraception carry a risk of failure in preventing unwanted teenage pregnancy. Statistics based on the latest medical information shall be provided to students citing the failure and success rate of condoms and other contraceptives in preventing pregnancy.

5. Stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious possible hazards of sexual intercourse. Students shall be provided with statistics based on the latest medical information citing the failure and success rates of condoms in preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

6. Include a discussion of the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual intercourse outside of marriage and the consequences of unwanted adolescent pregnancy.

7. Stress that students should abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage.

8. Teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage.

9. Advise students of the laws pertaining to their financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock.

10. Advise students that it is unlawful pursuant to Penal Code 261.5 for males or females of any age to have sexual intercourse with males or females under the age of 18 to whom they are not married.

11. Emphasize that students have the power to control personal behavior. Students shall be encouraged to base their actions on reasoning, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-control, and ethical considerations such as respect for one's self and others.

12. Teach students to not make unwanted physical and verbal sexual advances and how to say "no" to unwanted sexual advances. Provide information about verbal, physical and visual sexual assault, including but not limited to nonconsensual sexual advances, nonconsensual physical sexual contact, and rape by an acquaintance, commonly referred to as "date rape." This course material and instruction shall contain methods of preventing sexual assault by an acquaintance, including exercising good judgment and avoiding behavior that impairs good judgment, and shall also encourage youth to resist negative peer pressure. This course material and instruction also shall inform students of the potential legal consequences of sexual assault by an acquaintance. Specifically, students shall be advised that it is unlawful to touch an intimate part of another person, as specified Penal Code 243.4(d).

13. Be free of racial, ethnic and gender biases.

14. Teach students that it is wrong to take advantage of, or to exploit, another person.

At the secondary level, the family life/sex education program shall be placed in a course that is required for all students. Teachers who provide instruction in family life/sex education shall have professional preparation, either preservice or inservice, in the subject area.

Evaluation

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that family life/sex education materials and instruction are continuously evaluated in light of information received from students, parents/guardians, and teachers or when new information pertinent to items #1-14 above becomes available. Such information may indicate what students learned, whether the program was workable for the teachers, and how the program could be improved.

Family Life/Sex Education Advisory Committee

Under the direction of the family life/sex education program coordinator, the family life/sex education advisory committee shall identify the grade levels and courses in which family life/sex education will be offered. Available sex education materials and curriculum components shall then be identified and collected for review and evaluation by the committee. The program coordinator shall verify that all materials are consistent with Board policy and administrative regulation.

(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)

(cf. 5145.1 - Privacy)

Parent/Guardian Notification

At the beginning of the school year, parents/guardians shall be notified in writing about any instruction in which human reproductive organs and their functions, processes, or sexually transmitted diseases are described, illustrated, or discussed. In addition, before any instruction on family life, human sexuality, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases is given, the parent/guardian shall be provided with written notice explaining that the instruction will be given and information stating the parents/guardian's right to request a copy of Education Code 51201.5 and 51553. This notification shall inform parents/guardians that they may request in writing that their child not attend the class. No student shall attend such instruction if the school receives this request. (Education Code 48980, 51201.5, 51550, 51555)

(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)

If arrangements for this instruction are made after the beginning of the school year, the parents/guardians shall be notified no fewer than 10, and no more than 15, days before the instruction is delivered. (Education Code 51554)

This notification is required whether the guest speakers are brought in by the district to lecture, distribute information, show a videotape, act out, conduct an activity involving student participation or provide audio material in either a classroom or assembly. (Education Code 51554)

Parents/guardians shall also be notified in the manner described above prior to any instruction on family life, human sexuality, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases at an assembly conducted by a district employee. (Education Code 51554)

(cf. 6144 - Controversial Issues)

If notice is sent home with the students, parents/guardians shall be asked to sign and return to the school a slip indicating that they have read the notification. If slips are not returned, parental approval shall be confirmed by telephone.

All materials used for the above instruction shall be available for inspection by parents/guardians at reasonable times and places prior to the onset of instruction. The above notification shall inform parents/guardians of their right to inspect these materials. (Education Code 51550, 51820)

During the period of time that instruction described above is being delivered, the district shall make available an alternative educational activity to those students whose parents/guardians have requested that they not receive the instruction. (Education Code 51554)

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 51554)

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California