2221 - MANDATORY CURRICULUM
In compliance with the Indiana Code and Federal law, the School Board directs the Superintendent to prepare, implement, and supervise courses of instruction in the following areas as stipulated in the Indiana Code and the regulations of the State Department of Education:
the Constitution of the United States and Indiana in grades 6 through 12
the system of government in Indiana and the United States, methods of voting, party structures, election laws, and the responsibilities of citizen participation in government and in elections in grades 6 through 12
American History in high school
safety education in grade 8
the principles of hygiene and sanitary science in grade 5, at a minimum
the spread of disease by rats, flies, and mosquitoes, and its effects, and of disease prevention by the proper selection and consumption of food
the nature of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, prescription drugs, controlled substances, and their effects on the human system and society at large in grades K through 12
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and to the extent possible, instruction on other serious communicable diseases
instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections in grades 4 through 12, including: 1) abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children, 2) abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and other associated health problems, 3) the best way to avoid sexually-transmitted infections and other associated health problems is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage, 4) age appropriate instruction concerning the importance of consent to sexual activity between two (2) individuals, and 5) an in-person presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy that is medically accurate and age appropriate and includes the ultrasound video and computer generated rendering or animation outlined in I.C. 20-30-5-13; however, if the course is 100% virtual, a virtual presentation that meets these requirements may be provided instead.
Instruction on human sexuality shall be provided only to students in grades 4 through 12. However, a School Corporation employee is not prohibited from responding to a question from a student in prekindergarten through grade 3 regarding human sexuality.instruction regarding breast and testicular cancer, including the significance of early detection through self-examination, and in the case of breast cancer, regularly-scheduled mammograms in high school
career awareness and career development, employment matters, and work values in grades 1 - 12
human organ donor program and blood donor program as part of the high school health education curriculum
good citizenship instruction
bullying prevention instruction not later than October 15 of each school year in grades 1 through 12 (see also Policy 5517.01 - Bullying)
daily physical activity, which may include recess for students in full day kindergarten programs and other students in elementary school
dating violence instruction including warning signs, basic principles of prevention, and methods of parent education and outreach for grades 6 through 12 (see also Policy 5517.01 - Bullying)
child abuse and child sexual abuse education for grades K through 12 by December 15 of each school year (see also Policy 8462- Child Abuse and Neglect)
safety and security while using e-mail, chat rooms, social media, and other forms of direct electronic communications (see Policy 7540.03 - Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety)
the dangers inherent with the online disclosure of personally identifiable information (see Policy 7540.03- Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety)
the consequences of unauthorized access (e.g., "hacking"), cyberbullying, and other unlawful or inappropriate activities by students online (see Policy 7540.03 - Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety)
morals instruction
instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator as part of the high school health education curriculum
instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Citizenship, Sciences, Fine Arts, Health Education and Physical Fitness, and Computer Science
a course in personal financial responsibility in high school for all students expected to graduate in 2028 or after
a course in personal financial responsibility in high school for students expected to graduate in 2026 or 2027 from schools that opt into the New Indiana Diploma, if the student elects to pursue the New Indiana Diploma requirements
Indiana studies as an elective course in high school
ethnic studies as an elective course in high school
civics in grade 6, 7, or 8
The Superintendent shall prepare appropriate guidelines relative to the planning, teaching, and evaluation of these courses and ensure that each teacher present their instruction with special emphasis on honesty, morality, courtesy, obedience to the law, respect for the national flag, the Constitutions of the United States and Indiana, respect for parents and the home, the dignity and necessity of honest labor, and other lessons of a steadying influence, which tend to promote and develop upright and desirable citizenry.
The Superintendent is prohibited from offering, supporting, or promoting any student program, class, or activity that provides student instruction that is contrary to a curriculum required to be provided to students under I.C. 20-30-5, set forth above.
When required by law, the Board shall approve the course of instruction prior to its use in the classroom.
Before a school may provide a student with instruction on human sexuality, the school shall provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, with a written request for consent to instruction pursuant to I.C. 20-30-5-17(d) and (e). The consent form must include the following information: 1) an accurate summary of the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided, 2) whether the instruction on human sexuality will be taught to male and female students in a unified setting or in separate settings, 3) whether the instruction on human sexuality will be provided by a female or male instructor, and 4) a statement that a parent of a student or an adult or emancipated minor student has the right to review and inspect all materials related to the instruction on human sexuality. If the consent form is sent in an electronic format, the form must include a link to the list of instructional materials published on the Corporation's website. Before a student can be administered a personal analysis, evaluation or survey by a third party vendor under I.C. 20-26-21, the school shall provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, with a written request for consent for administration that complies with I.C. 20-26-21-4(b) and (c). Before a student can be administered a personal analysis, evaluation or survey by a school that meets the criteria listed in I.C. 20-30-5-17(c), the school shall provide the parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or emancipated minor, with a written request for consent for administration that complies with I.C. 20-30-5-17(c).
If the Corporation or a school uses a third party vendor in providing a personal analysis, evaluation, or survey that reveals, identifies, collects, maintains, or attempts to affect a student's attitudes, habits, traits, opinions, beliefs, or feelings, the third party vendor and the Corporation or school may not record, collect, or maintain the responses to or results of the analysis, evaluation, or survey in a manner that would identify the responses or results of an individual student.
The parent of a student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, has the right to inspect instructional materials and all materials related to personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys. The Superintendent shall establish procedures for a student's parent or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, to inspect instructional materials and all materials related to personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys.
The term "instructional material" means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, including printed and representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet). The term includes teachers' manuals, curricular materials, films or other video materials, tapes, and other materials used in instruction. The term does not include academic tests or assessments.
The Board shall publish on the Corporation's website a list of all instructional materials, including teachers' manuals, curricular materials, films or other video materials, tapes and other materials, used in the instruction on human sexuality. No Corporation school shall use curricular materials to provide instruction on human sexuality that have not been approved by the Board under I.C. 20-26-12-24.
The Board shall notify parents and students of the above rights.
A parent of the student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor, may submit a complaint for a violation of policies and procedures related to personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys under the grievance procedures described in Policy 5710 - Student Complaints and Policy 9130 - Public Complaints and Concerns.
If the Corporation contracts with a third party vendor to provide a personal analysis, survey, or evaluation described above, the contract shall include a provision stating that if the third party vendor does not comply with the requirements in I.C. 20-26-21, the third party vendor has committed a breach of contract.
See also Policy 2414 - Reproductive Health and Family Planning and Human Sexuality Instruction and Policy 2416 - Student Privacy and Access to Parental Information.
The Superintendent shall establish and maintain procedures related to the provision of human sexuality instruction and the administration of personal analyses, evaluations, or surveys to students.
Revised 11/12/18
Revised 9/16/24
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