Sex Education

California students have the right to comprehensive sex education that is medically accurate, inclusive, and unbiased. We developed the resources below to support parents, students, and administrators in ensuring their schools meet the requirements of the California Healthy Youth Act, California's sex education law, which went into effect in 2016.

• California Healthy Youth Act 101. Start here to find basic information and resources about the California Healthy Youth Act, including factsheets about how it applies to elementary and charter schools.
• Compliance Guidance. Technical resources to help administrators and others who want to learn how schools and districts can ensure legally compliant sex education in their schools.
• Tools for Action. Want to learn how to take action in your school to ensure good sex education? These tools for students, parents, and other stakeholders will show you how to build an advocacy campaign from the ground up.

If you have concerns about the sex education that is being taught in your schools, let us know.

• Fast Facts about the California Healthy Youth Act
  One-pager for parents and community members, ideal for sharing at community or school meetings.
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• Know Your Rights: Sex Education
  Short factsheet for students about your right to good, comprehensive sex ed.
  » Leer en español
• Frequently Asked Questions
  Developed by the California Sexual Health Education Roundtable.
  Short factsheet that answers basic questions about the law, like "what content is required?" and "how does parental notification and opt-out work?" Helpful for sharing with parents, teachers, administrators, or advocates.
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• Elementary School: Facts about the California Healthy Youth Act
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• Charter Schools: Facts about the California Healthy Youth Act
  One-pager on sex education requirements for charter schools, following the passage of AB 2601 in 2018.
• Parent Fact Sheet
  Parents/guardians have a critical role in ensuring their children receive comprehensive sex ed. Use this primer to get familiar with the California Healthy Youth Act or share with other parents at your school.
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• Questions & Answers for School Districts
  Technical FAQ to learn about specific requirements of the law, including relevant sections of the Education Code.
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• Compliance Evaluation Checklist for Districts
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• Curricular Materials & Resources
  List of updated curricula to help school administrators identify the sex education curricula that work best for their students.
  » Leer en español
• Curriculum Review: HEART
  A legal analysis of the sex ed curriculum HEART: Health Education and Relationship Training.
• LGBTQ & Gender Inclusiveness Assessment Tool
  Evaluation checklist to ensure instruction and materials are LGBTQ- and gender-inclusive.
  » Leer en español
• Medical Accuracy Assessment Tool
  Knowing fact from fiction is key to ensuring that schools provide medically accurate information. Use this tool to see if the content in your curriculum meets this standard.
• Sample Parent/Guardian Notification Letter
  Customizable template for administrators that provides all required information for parental notification and opt-out.
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• Take Action!
  Parents are often the first line of defense when it comes to protecting their children's right to comprehensive sex ed. Read this primer on parents' role in school compliance.
  » Leer en español
• Be the Change: Advocacy Toolkit
  Developed in partnership with Bay Area Communities for Health Education (BACHE).
  Advocates come in all shapes and sizes – from parents to teachers to concerned community members – and you can all use this toolkit with a step-by-step checklist to make sure your school is providing legally compliant sex education.
  » Leer en español

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If you don’t think your school is complying with the California Healthy Youth Act, you can request help through the ACLU of Southern California legal intake page.