NJ Standards & Topics
Embedded Files
Community health services and support
2.1.8.CHSS.1: Identify professionals at school and in the community available to assist with health conditions and emergencies, sexual health services, life skills training and describe how they can be accessed (e.g., suicide prevention, CPR/AED, breast self-examination, traumatic stress). •
2.1.8.CHSS.2: Describe the state and federal laws related to age of consent, minors’ ability to consent to health care, confidentiality in a healthcare setting, child pornography, sexting, safe haven and sex trafficking.
2.1.8.CHSS.3: Identify the state and federal laws related to minors' access to sexual healthcare services, including pregnancy and STIs/HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment.
2.1.8.CHSS.4: Identify community resources and/or other sources of support, such as trusted adults, including family members, caregivers, and school staff, that students can go to if they are or someone they know is being sexually harassed, abused, assaulted, exploited, or trafficked.
2.1.8.CHSS.5: Identify medically accurate sources of information about STIs, including HIV, such as local STIs /HIV prevention, steps to obtain PrEP and PEP, testing, and treatment resources.
Social and sexual health
2.1.8.SSH.3: Demonstrate communication skills that will support healthy relationships
2.1.8.SSH.4: Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
2.1.8.SSH.5: Analyze the similarities and differences between friendships, romantic relationships and sexual relationships.
2.1.8.SSH.6: Examine how culture influences the way families cope with traumatic situations, crisis, and change.
2.1.8.SSH.7: Identify factors that are important in deciding whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors.
2.1.8.SSH.8: Identify factors that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity (e.g., body image, self-esteem, alcohol, other substances).
2.1.8.SSH.9: Define vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
2.1.8.SSH.10: Identify short and long-term contraception and safer sex methods that are effective and describe how to access and use them (e.g., abstinence, condom).
2.1.8.SSH.11: Develop a plan to eliminate or reduce risk of unintended pregnancy and STIs (including HIV).
Safety
2.3.8.PS.1: Assess the degree of risk in a variety of situations, and identify strategies needed to reduce deliberate and non-deliberate injuries to self and others (e.g., digital safety, sexting, dating violence, domestic violence, gang violence, human trafficking, nonconsensual sexual encounters, other threats of violence).
2.3.8.PS.2: Define sexual consent and sexual agency.
2.3.8.PS.3: Define interpersonal and sexual violence and describe their impacts on sexual health (e.g., sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, incest, rape, domestic violence, coercion, dating violence).
2.3.8.PS.4: Describe strategies that sex traffickers/exploiters employ to recruit youth.
2.3.8.PS.5: Determine the effectiveness of laws designed to keep children and adolescents healthy and safe (e.g., consent, child pornography, human trafficking, parental notification, drugs)
2.3.8.PS.6: Demonstrate strategies to use social media safely, legally, and respectfully (e.g., sexting, sextortion). • 2.3.8.PS.7: Evaluate the impact of technology and social media on relationships (e.g., consent, communication, respect).
Health conditions and diseases
2.3.8.HCDM.4: Describe the signs, symptoms, and potential impacts of STIs (including HIV).
• 2.3.8.HCDM.5: Compare and contrast behaviors, including abstinence, to determine the potential risk of pregnancy and/or STIs (including HIV) transmission.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drugs
2.3.8.ATD.1: Examine how the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by adolescents has impacted their lives and the lives of family members socially, emotionally, and physically.
2.3.8.ATD.2: Relate the use of alcohol and other drugs to decision-making, consent, and risk for sexual assault and abuse.
2.3.8.ATD.3: Determine the factors that contribute to different rules, laws, and policies in schools, communities, and states regarding alcohol, tobacco (including e-cigarettes, vaping, cannabis products), and other drugs.
• 2.3.8.ATD.4: Explain the impact of alcohol and other drugs on areas of the brain that control vision, sleep, coordination, reaction time, judgment, and memory.
2.3.8.ATD.5: Analyze how the influence of peers and different social settings (e.g., home, school, party) can result in positive and/or negative outcomes.
2.3.8.DSDT.1: Summarize the signs and symptoms of alcohol, tobacco, and drug disorders.
2.3.8.DSDT.2: Compare and contrast the various services that are available for individuals affected by substance disorders in the community and at the state level.
2.3.8.DSDT.3: Determine the impact that alcohol and drugs can have on an individual’s social, emotional, and physical well-being.
2.3.8.DSDT.4: Examine how alcohol and drug disorders can impact the social, emotional, and physical lives of friends and family members.
2.3.8.DSDT.5: Compare and contrast the various services that are available for family members and others affected by substance disorders in the community and at the school.
Additional state statues for grades 6-8
Consent (N.J.S.A. 18A:35)
Requires age-appropriate instruction in grades six through 12 on the law and meaning of consent for physical contact and sexual activity as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The instruction shall be designed to increase discussion and awareness that consent is required before physical contact or sexual activity, as well as the social, emotional, and relational impact surrounding sexuality, the right to say no to unwanted physical contact or sexual activity, and the virtues of respecting the right of others to say no.
Mental Health (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.39)
A school district shall ensure that its health education programs for students in grades kindergarten through 12 recognize the multiple dimensions of health by including mental health and the relation of physical and mental health so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health, well-being, and human dignity. The instruction in mental health shall be adapted to the age and understanding of the students and shall be incorporated as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The instruction shall include, as appropriate, information on substance abuse provided pursuant to the implementation of these standards and to section 1 of P.L.2016, c.46 (C.18A:40A-2.1). The State Board of Education shall review and update the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education to ensure the incorporation of instruction in mental health in an appropriate place in the curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12. In its review, the State board shall consult with mental health experts including, but not limited to, representatives from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services. New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.40 & 18A:35-4.41) The Department of Education shall review the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education to ensure that information on the provisions of the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act," P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.5 et seq.) shall be included therein to public school students in grades 9 through 12.
Sexting (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.33)
A Board of education shall include instruction on the social, emotional, and legal consequences of distributing and soliciting sexually explicit images through electronic means once during middle school in an appropriate place in the curriculum as part as of the school district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement this requirement.
Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education (N.J.S.A 18A:35-4.5a.)
Requires each school district shall incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education in grades preschool through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, the New Jersey Children’s Alliance, and other entities with relevant expertise, shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources.
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