Summary: The following information was provided to social studies teachers on 1.14.2025 to help them navigate topics that are, in Utah, deemed as “sensitive.” Our goal is to help teachers be able to navigate these topics in
classrooms if they are raised by students or encountered in classroom discussions.
As social studies teachers, we know everything has a history. In learning social studies, part of our instructional practices call for teaching students to formulate and respond to compelling questions, conduct research, apply analytical thinking, and discern between valid and invalid sources as they seek to draw conclusions and formulate arguments about various current or historical topics. We know these are critical skills for an educated and civic ready citizenry, which is essential to sustaining our democracy.
We also recognize that today our students are savvy and care deeply about justice, and in response we provide students with valuable opportunities to explore topics compelling to them in an effort to help them better understand themselves and their communities. With
that said, as public school teachers, we are bound to follow Utah law. Our Board Policies are designed to capture the essence of the laws and inform what we must do to abide by Utah law.
This email is generated as a result of two laws: Utah Code Section 53G-10-402 and Utah Code Section 53G-10-403. I know you are not teaching health, sex ed, biology or the like, but since everything has a history, you may find that students choose to investigate a topic for a
history fair or civic action project that may be considered sensitive or unlawful according to Utah law.
What does this mean for you as social studies teachers? It means that if any instruction or information pertains to any of the sensitive topics listed in the law, I strongly encourage you to do the following:
- Review our Board Policy I-7 regarding Curriculum and Instructional Materials
and Board Policy I-12 Human Sexuality Education to empower you with appropriate information.
- Complete the USBE approved 2024 Sex Ed Law and Policy Training Canvas course. This is an asynchronous course with a helpful teacher guide and other resource. It will take you about 90 minutes to complete and you will be paid for 1.5 hours at the
$30/hour PD rate and receive 1 relicensure point for completing the course.
- Confer with your school administrator letting them know what you are doing and
what, if any, topics might be deemed sensitive. Together, determine the parameters of the project so it stays within the boundaries of the law.
- Keep parents informed and get appropriate parent permission prior to proceeding or allowing students to proceed with any topic deemed to be sensitive.
- Plan accordingly. If student projects include any materials deemed sensitive under Utah law/Board policy, students are not allowed to share their projects with any other students. Students are not allowed to receive peer feedback or present their projects in any school or district venue. In these cases, what are your plans for student alternatives?
- Please Note: Utah History Day (UHD) is aware of Utah Code and working to determine how that may affect student presentations during UHD contests.
Please be assured that this email is not meant to alarm you or stifle student learning or your instruction. It is merely meant to equip you with important information. If you have further questions, please refer to your administrator.
