Jerome Joint School District No. 261

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 2320

Health, Sex Education, and Human Sexuality

Health, family life and sex education; including information about parts of the body, reproduction and related topics; shall be included in the instructional program as appropriate to the grade level and course of study.  The instructional approach shall be developed after consultation with parents and other community representatives.  

Sex Education

While District schools do not provide instruction on all of the following topics, the term "human sexuality" shall mean the following, as required by state law:

1. Sexual conduct;

2. Sexual pleasure;

3. Sexual intimacy;

4. Sexual abuse;

5. Sexual violence;

6. Eroticism;

7. Pornography;

8. Deviant sexual behavior;

9. Sexual attraction;

10. Sexual orientation or any form of sexual identity;

11. Gender identity or gender conversion.

Instruction in any of these topics shall be age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, and in accordance with state standards. Classroom instruction that does not meet these criteria are prohibited. Before providing instruction on any of these topics or other sex education, the District shall provide parents/guardians with at least two weeks of notice and the opportunity to review any materials that will be used in this instruction. This notice shall include a brief description of the content of this instruction. Parents/guardians shall be provided with a form to provide written permission for their student to receive the instruction. Students will only participate in instruction on this topic if their parent/guardian has provided this signed form within one week of the time this instruction begins. Alternative educational activities shall be provided for students who have not received this permission.

If a parent/guardian believes their student has received instruction on one of these topics without the permission described above, the parent may address their complaint as described in Procedure 2320.

The Board directs that sex education instruction shall include instruction on abstinence. However, it is recognized that this alone may not prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, the Board allows for instruction in sex education including STIs, birth control, adoption, and general human sexuality. In all cases the known facts will be taught, not the opinions or moral judgment of the instructor.

Any sex education instruction shall include instruction on:

1. Available adoption resources and current adoption practices in the United States as a means of providing for the well-being of a child;

2. The Idaho Safe Haven Act, IC 39-8201 et seq.; and

3. Where to find resources and support in the State of Idaho.

Additionally, any instruction on human biology, contraception, or STIs provided to students in grades 5 through 12 shall be accompanied by a viewing of a video that meets the following requirements:

1. It must be at least three minutes long;

2. It must show the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; and

3. It must include a high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every week of pregnancy until birth.

Before a student can view such a video, their parent/guardian must be given notice, be provided with the opportunity to review the video, and provide permission as described above.  

The Board believes that instruction on STIs is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive health education program. Instruction shall be developmentally appropriate to the grade level of the students and shall occur in a systematic manner. The Board particularly desires that students receive proper education about STIs before they reach the age when they may adopt behaviors that increase their risk of contracting an STI.

In order for education about STIs to be most effective, the Superintendent shall require that faculty members who present this instruction receive continuing in-service training that includes appropriate teaching strategies and techniques.

No sex education materials or instruction may be provided by any individual or organization that is an abortion provider.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Education

Students shall receive education regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The Superintendent or designee shall develop a curriculum for use in health education that provides instruction to students in the areas of prevention; education; treatment; rehabilitation; and legal consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

Legal References Description

IC § 18-8707 Abortion-Related Activities Prohibited in School-Based Health Clinics and Sex Education Curricula

IC § 33-1605 Health and Physical Fitness – Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco, Stimulants and Narcotics

IC § 33-1608, et seq. Family Life and Sex Education – Legislative Policy

IC § 33-1611A Requiring Permission for Instruction Addressing Human Sexuality

IC § 33-1637 Human Growth and Development Instruction in Public Schools

IC § 33-342 Adoption Education

IC § 33-6001 Parental Rights

IC § 39-8201 et. seq. Idaho Safe Haven Act

IDAPA 08.02.03.160 Safe Environment and Discipline

Cross Reference:

Code Description

2340 Controversial Issues

2340-F1 Controversial Issues-Parental Opt-Out Form for Sex Education

3281 Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Policy History:

Adopted on: 02/27/2007

Revised on: 02/28/2017

Revised on: 01/28/2025

Revised on: 12/16/2025