Sexuality Education is instruction on health information regarding bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships. Students starting in Kindergarten should be receiving sexuality education as a way to promote health and well-being.
Your Rights
- You have the right to health and sexuality education in DCPS public and public charter schools.
- In DC public schools, you have the right to comprehensive and age-appropriate school health education in grades K-12. This instruction must include human sexuality and reproduction.
- Your sexual orientation and gender identity are both covered under the District’s discrimination law. This means that it is against the law to discriminate against someone based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
- You have the right to request health and sexuality education delivered by the Department of Health. More information here.
What is sexuality education?
The age-appropriate and comprehensive health and sexuality education for all children in youth in the District. According to SIECUS, sexuality education is the life-long process of acquiring information and forming attitudes.
Sexuality education is instruction that includes information on the human body, intercourse, contraception, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, abortion, childbirth, sexual orientation, decision-making skills regarding parenting and sexuality, and awareness and prevention of rape and sexual assault.
Things you should know
- The Chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools is charged with ensuring that sexuality education is taught in schools and that students have minimum proficiency in this area.
- The DC Department of Health’s Community Health Administration (CHA) sponsors health education programs for students.
- The Department of Health also provides parents of children aged 0-5 parenting education in the parent’s own homes. For more information, contact (202-442-5925).
- The Office of State Superintendent of Education passed new Health Standards in April 2016. These standards include a clear and age-appropriate approach to teaching essential health topics that impact District students.
Here are more places where you can learn about sexuality education:
2016 Health Education Standards
Department of Health – Health and Sexuality Education
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
Here’s where you should go, if you are having issues with:
If you want to get involved in our fight for an equal education:
Contact the Mayor and City Council
Speak Your Mind- share a message with us about your education experience.
Join the movement, by becoming part of our staff, or by helping us.