Current State Office of Education policy on human sexuality instruction:

The public schools will teach sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage.

There will be prior parental consent before teaching any aspect of contraception and/or condoms.

Students will learn about communicable diseases, including those transmitted sexually, and HIV/AIDS.

Program materials and guest speakers supporting instruction on these topics are to be reviewed and approved by the local district review committee.

The following are not approved by the State Board of Education for instruction and may not be taught:

The intricacies of intercourse, sexual stimulation or erotic behavior;

The advocacy of homosexuality;

The advocacy or encouragement of the use of contraceptive methods or devices;

The advocacy of sexual activity outside of marriage.

Teachers may respond to spontaneous student questions for the purposes of providing accurate data or correcting inaccurate or misleading information or comments made by students in class regarding human sexuality.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com