​​​​​​​​No, it is not required. However, local school districts may choose to teach knowledge and skills related to comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education in grades kindergarten through grade six (K–6), inclusive. All instruction and materials in grades K–6 must meet the Sexual Health Education instructional criteria or baseline requirements in EC Section 51933. Content that is required in grades 7–12 may also be included in an age-appropriate way in earlier grades. (EC sections 51933, 51934[b]​.) Refer to ​Grades K-6 California Healthy Youth Act Factsheet (ACLU)​​

California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) criteria includes the requirement that the education affirmatively recognize different sexual orientations; as well as teach about gender, gender expression, and gender identity, and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes. 

​The law requires instruction and materials to meet a number of guidelines. Among them, they must be age-appropriate; medically accurate and objective; and appropriate for use with pupils of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They also must affirmatively recognize different sexual orientations and be inclusive of same-sex relationships in discussions; teach about gender, gender expression, gender identity, and the harm of negative gender stereotypes; and teach the value of committed relationships such as marriage. The full list of guidelines is listed in Education Code 51933. Every school district has the autonomy to choose its own curriculum as long as it meets the state guidelines. If families have questions or concerns about the specific lessons used in their child’s class, they should contact the school or district. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​As stated in​ Education Code 51932(b)​ ​, the opt-out provision of the California Healthy Youth Act does not apply to instruction or materials outside the context of comprehensive sexual health education, including those that may reference gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, discrimination, bullying, relationships, or family. For example, the opt-out rule associated with comprehensive sexual health education would not apply to a social studies lesson on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. Read more about the FAIR Education Act of 2011​. Source​. ​​

​​​​​No, under the California Healthy Youth Act, all comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention instruction and materials in grades K-12 must be inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ) students. Instruction must affirmatively recognize that people have different sexual orientations and, when discussing or providing examples of relationships and couples, must be inclusive of same-sex relationships. It must also teach students about gender, gender expression, gender identity, and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes.This means that schools are required to teach about sexual orientation and transgender, cisgender, and non-binary gender identities. Learn about the requirements here​.

​​​​​A simple way to think about these questions is: Parents have the right to passive consent, in all grades. When discussing opt-out, parents can opt out of content, but NOT people: 

​​No. The Health Education Framework is a guidance document for teachers and administrators in implementing California’s Health Education Content Standards. There are no mandates that require schools to use the Health Education Framework. S​ource​.​

​​​No, local school districts are encouraged, but not required, to adopt or use CA Health Education Content Standards. Local school districts are also encouraged, but not required, to follow the Health Education Framework for guidance in planning, instruction and assessment. It should be noted that the CA Health Education Standards represent minimum requirements for comprehensive health education. 

​​The Health Education Content Standards​​ for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve were adopted on March 12, 2008. The Standards represent minimum requirements for comprehensive health education. They provide guidance on the essential skills and knowledge that students should have at each grade level to become health literate. ​​

​Health Education Standards provide guidance for developing health education curricula; they identify what each student in California should know and be able to do at each grade level. The CA Health Education Standards Grade-Level Assignment for Content Areas Chart (page ix) can be found below. ​

​​The Health Education Framework provides guidance for teachers and administrators in planning for and providing quality, skills-based, comprehensive Health Education instruction. It is aligned to the 2008 California Health Education Content Standards, which support the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in eight overarchingstandards: (1) essential health concepts; (2) analyzing health influences; (3) accessing valid health information; (4) interpersonal communication; (5) decision making; (6) goal setting; (7) practicing health-enhancing behaviors; and (8) health promotion in six content areas of health education: nutrition and physical activity; growth, development, and sexual health; injury prevention and safety; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; mental, emotional, and social health; and personal and community health. 2008 Health Education Content Standards, which can be downloaded from the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division Content Standards web page.​​

​​​​​​Elementary School (Grades K-6)​: Health Education is required in Grades 1-6. California Education Code [EC] 51210. states: ​ The adopted course of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall include instruction, beginning in grade 1 and continuing through grade 6, in the following areas of study: English; Mathematics; Social sciences; Science; Visual and performing arts; Physical education; and ​​Health, including instruction in the principles and practices of individual, family, and community health. 

​​​​​​Visit the CA Health Education website Professional Learning Opportunities page for online courses, webinars, and trainings. Information and resources for adminstrators and leadership can be found on the Adminstrator and Leadership Professional Learning​ page.

​​​​The CDE Health Education Instructional Materials Adoption publication and schedule can be found here.​​

A toolkit has been created to help local districts in their evaluation and adoption of new instructional materials that align with the 2008 Health Education Standards, the 2019 Health Education Curriculum Framework, and current CA Education Code and State Sta​tutes. Local educational agencies (LEAs) – school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education – have the authority and the responsibility to conduct their own evaluation of instructional materials and to adopt the materials that best meet the needs of their students. The toolkit will​​​ help guide that process and can be found HERE.