All instruction related to sex education must take place within the context of Utah State Law (53G-10-402) and Utah State Board of Education rule (R277-474). New legislation has added topics beyond health class which require parent notification and permission.
Any course which involves "Sex education instruction" [now includes] any course material, unit, class, lesson, activity, or presentation that, as the focus of the discussion, provides instruction or information to a student about:
· sexual abstinence;
· human sexuality;
· human reproduction;
· reproductive anatomy;
· physiology;
· pregnancy;
· marriage;
· childbirth;
· parenthood;
· contraception;
· HIV/AIDS;
· sexually transmitted diseases; or · refusal skills, as defined in Section 53G-10-402.
In accordance with Rule R277-474-7-4, teachers may answer student questions or correct inaccurate statements as long as the answer is consistent with state law and the approved instructional materials. Educators may also direct students to parents.
Teachers will be sent this survey and are required to indicate if they cover any of the listed topics. All teachers must respond by September 30, 2025.
The parental Consent Form is included in all student registration and information is available to teachers regarding the parent’s option for instruction.
Rationale:
Utah Code 53G-10-402 states: · That “parental consent requirements of Sections 76-7-322 and 76-7-323 are complied with”
· And, “require a student's parent to be notified in advance and have an opportunity to review the information for which parental consent is required under Sections 76-7-322 and 76-7-323.”
· “An LEA governing board shall provide appropriate professional development for the LEA governing board's teachers, counselors, and school administrators to enable the teachers, counselors, and school administrators to understand, protect, and properly instruct students in the values and character traits referred to in this section and Sections 53E-9-202, 53E-9-203, 53G-10-202, 53G-10-203, 53G-10-204, and 53G-10-205, and distribute appropriate written materials on the values, character traits, and conduct to each individual receiving the professional development.” To facilitate compliance, each secondary teacher is required to complete the form to let SLCSD know which topics they are and are not teaching.
USBE guidance states:
· “Health, CTE, science, and psychology teachers should [acquire parental permission and complete this training] if they teach eligible courses like Health, Child Development, Health Science, Medical Anatomy, Human Development, Genetics, or any course with instruction on sex education as defined in Utah Code 53G-10-403.”
Expectations for Implementation:
· Communication:
· Administrative memo will be sent to all building administrators to share with faculty.
· Link to required form will be sent to all educators with the deadline of September 30, 2025 for completion.
· The Canvas course required for all teachers who present an effected topic (listed above) will be provided once the USBE creates the course after July 1, 2025.
2. Collaboration:
· Contact Katie Lowery, Content Specialist over Health and Physical Education, for assistance.
3. Evaluation:
· The district will check for the completion of the required form by due date. If it is not complete, the assistance of building administrators will be requested.
· The district will keep a current record of all teachers who have completed the USBE Canvas course.
Keywords: Human sexuality, health education, Utah Code 53G-10-402
