Contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and abstinence are some of the topics that could be discussed with middle school students in Palo Alto, but some parents are concerned.
The Palo Alto Unified School District is scheduled to address those questions and the sexual health course, which could be delivered to students as young as seventh grade, during a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The curriculum, which features 10 hours of content to be delivered over a two-week period, will cover gender roles, relationships, sexuality, reproductive health, contraception and STDs, according to nonprofit Health Connected, the group the district is partnering with for the course.
Students are required to receive sexual health education once in middle school and again in high school, according to California's Healthy Youth Act.
Parents in Palo Alto can opt out of the program if they see fit, according to the school district. Parents can also take a peek at the material before their children do.
For proprietary reasons, parents can only review the course material in person. Health Connected doesn't share the material electronically.
