HSS vs. Health/Sex Curricula

Sexual Education/Family Life - Rocklin Clarifications

Important clarification regarding Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) and the California History-Social Studies (HSS) curricula approved by the RUSD Board of Trustees. They are unrelated.

• CSE, which is part of the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) took effect on January 1, 2016. Rocklin Unified has no plans to adopt K-6 curriculum related to CHYA/CSE at this time. If you are interested in seeing exactly what subjects/curricula Rocklin Unified may adopt in the future, please take a look at the RUSD adoption timeline.

There is a great deal of misinformation on social media about CSE/CHYA. In an effort to communicate and be transparent with our community, RUSD would like to share the following facts:

• The selection of a K-6 CHYA/CSE aligned framework/curricula would occur in a completely different district adoption cycle. Per the RUSD adoption timeline, there is currently not a K-6 health curriculum adoption slated for our school district in the next five years.
• While CSE/CHYA permits the teaching of sexual education and HIV prevention in elementary school, it is not required. At this time, RUSD has no plan to adopt a K-6 health curriculum aligned with CHYA/CSE.
• Currently, RUSD only teaches Human Growth and Development in grades 5 and 6. The focus of this curricula is on the changing body. Reproduction is introduced but the act of sex is not discussed or part of the curriculum. Parent permission is required to participate in Human Growth and Development in grades 5 and 6 and opt outs are permitted.
• CHYA/CSE requires that students in grades 7-12 receive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education at least once in middle school and once in high school. Last year, RUSD adopted the curriculum Positive Prevention Plus for use in 7th and 9th grades. The District has been successfully teaching this content in grades 7-12. RUSD will continue to inform 7-12 parents and provide them with access to materials and an opt out of this curriculum if they choose.
• The California History-Social Studies framework/curricula, including our recent district adoptions in this area, are not related to CHYA/CSE. While our district HSS curricula do conform to the California Fair Act and include references to the contributions of historical figures that are/were gay, lesbian, and homosexual, the intent is to teach history/social studies, not health or human sexuality.

Questions/concerns can be directed to the RUSD district office at (916) 630-3187.