2414 - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING AND HUMAN SEXUALITY INSTRUCTION

The School Board believes that provision should be made for the teaching of reproductive health, family planning, human sexuality, and the recognition, prevention, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, as essential ingredients in a comprehensive school health education curriculum in grades 4 through 12. 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. As required by State law, teachers who provide instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections shall:

1. teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school age children;
2. include in the instruction that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and other associated health problems;
3. include in the instruction that 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. include age appropriate instruction concerning the importance of consent to sexual activity between two (2) individuals; and
5. include in the instruction an in-person presentation on human growth and development during pregnancy that is medically accurate and age appropriate and includes a high definition ultrasound video at least three (3) minutes in duration showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs and other vital organs in early fetal development and a high quality computer generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and each stage of fetal development inside the uterus noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy from fertilization to birth; however, if the course is 100% virtual, a virtual presentation that meets these requirements may be provided instead.

The Corporation shall make available for inspection by the parent of a student any instructional materials, including teachers’ manuals, curricular materials, films or other video materials, tapes, and other materials, used in connection with instruction on human sexuality and shall post a list of the in instructional materials used on the Corporation's website.  Before providing instruction on human sexuality, the Corporation shall comply with State law requirements to provide a written request for consent to instruction to a parent of a student or the student, if the student is an adult or an emancipated minor. A consent form provided to a parent of a student or a student shall include the following information:

1. An accurate summary of the contents and nature of the instruction on human sexuality that will be provided to the student.
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.
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.

The written consent form may be sent in an electronic format. If the written 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.

The Board shall approve all curricular materials used in the instruction of human sexuality, pursuant to I.C. 20-30-5-13(c).

The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines to implement these curriculum components.

Revised 9/16/24

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