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PENNSYLVANIA


Pennsylvania Sexuality Education Law and Policy


Schools in Pennsylvania are not required to teach sexuality education. Primary, intermediate, middle, and high schools are, however, required to teach sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV education. Schools must use materials that are age-appropriate, discuss prevention, and stress abstinence as “the only completely reliable means of preventing sexual transmission.”


The state has created the Academic Standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education, which include STD- and HIV-prevention education. All decisions regarding HIV-prevention curricula and materials must be made by local school districts. School districts do not have to follow specific curriculum, but they must use these standards as a framework for the development of their curriculum.


School districts must publicize the fact that parents and guardians can review all curriculum materials. Parents and guardians whose principles or religious beliefs conflict with instruction may excuse their children from the programs. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy.


See Pennsylvania Code Title 22, Chapter 4, Section 29 and the Academic Standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education.