DELAWARE

Delaware Sexuality Education Law and Policy

Delaware requires sexuality education as part of health education in kindergarten through twelfth grade. This education must be coordinated by an employee in each school district and must be overseen by a District Consolidated Application Planning Committee. The Committee must consist of teachers, parents, school nurses, community leaders, law enforcement, and other community members. Sexuality education courses must also follow the Delaware Health Education Curriculum.

Sexuality education must include an “HIV-prevention program that stresses the benefits of abstinence from high-risk behaviors.” Delaware law also sets a minimum number of hours for “comprehensive health education and family life education.” In kindergarten through grade 4, this minimum is set at 30 hours in each grade, 10 of which must be dedicated to drug/alcohol education. In grades 5 and 6, the minimum is set at of 35 hours per grade, 15 of which must be dedicated to drug/alcohol education. In grades 7 and 8, the minimum is set at 60 hours per grade, 15 of which must be dedicated to drug/alcohol education. In order to graduate, high school students must receive one-half of a credit in comprehensive health education.

Delaware does not require parental permission for students to participate in sexuality or HIV/AIDS education nor does it say whether parents or guardians can remove their children from such classes.

See Delaware Administrative Code 14-851.