• Why do kids need comprehensive human sexuality education?

Sexuality education equips children and adolescents with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that help them protect their health, develop respectful social and sexual relationships, make responsible choices, and understand and protect others' rights.

Evidence consistently shows that high-quality sexuality education delivers positive health outcomes with lifelong impacts. Adolescents are more likely to delay the onset of sexual activity – and when they do have sex, to practice safer sex – when they are better informed about their sexuality, sexual health, and their rights.

Sexuality education also helps them prepare for and manage physical and emotional changes as they grow up, including during puberty and adolescence, while teaching them about respect, consent, and where to go if they need help. This in turn reduces risks from violence, exploitation and abuse.

For more information about Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education and the research behind it, see this website from the Colorado Department of Public Health.

• When should sexuality education begin? Is this curriculum age-appropriate? 

With younger learners, teaching about sexuality does not necessarily mean teaching about sex. For instance, for younger age groups, CSE may help children learn about their bodies and recognize their feelings and emotions while discussing family life and different types of relationships, decision-making, the basic principles of consent, and what to do if violence, bullying, or abuse occurs. This type of learning establishes the foundation for healthy relationships throughout life.

Public health research (link here) shows that prevention programs work best when they start early and build over time. In prevention science, this is called “developmentally sequenced prevention.” Instead of a single sex-ed unit in middle school, programs introduce age-appropriate concepts gradually across childhood, allowing students to build knowledge and skills as they mature.

• Won’t teaching these concepts plant seeds in the minds of youth and encourage early sexual activity?

Evidence shows that young people are more likely to initiate sexual activity later – and when they do have sex, to practice safer sex – when they are better informed about sexuality, sexual relations, and their rights.

• How can sexual education prevent abuse?

By providing children and young people with adequate knowledge about their rights and what is and is not acceptable behavior, sexuality education makes them less vulnerable to abuse. It is estimated that 18%, or almost 1 in 5 girls worldwide, have experience child sexual abuse (source). The UN’s international guidance calls for children between the ages of 5 and 8 years to recognize bullying and violence and understand that these are wrong. It calls for children aged 12–15 years to be made aware that sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and bullying are violations of human rights and are never the victim’s fault. Finally, it calls for older adolescents – those aged 15–18 – to be taught that consent is critical for a positive sexual relationship with a partner. Children and young people should also be taught what to do and where to go if problems like violence and abuse occur.

Through such an approach, sexuality education improves children’s and young people’s ability to react to abuse, to stop abuse, and finally, to find help when they need it.

• How and when was this health curriculum adopted?

Roaring Fork Schools Board of Education adopted the 3Rs (Rights, Respect, and Responsibility) curriculum on May 24, 2023 after an extensive exploration and input process. Read the full board statement here.

• Was there stakeholder input on the adoption process?

The adoption process included extensive stakeholder input. See the stakeholder feedback process here. Comprehensive and Sexual Health Curriculum Stakeholder Feedback Process

• Who developed the 3Rs curriculum?

The 3Rs were developed by three of the leading sexuality education experts in the United States: Elizabeth Schroeder, EdD, MSW; Eva S. Goldfarb, PhD; and Nora Gelperin, MEd.

• Where is this in the Colorado State Standards?

https://ed.cde.state.co.us/cohealth/statestandards The 3Rs curriculum is in line with state standards of health education.

• Who will be teaching this curriculum?

The curriculum is taught by a collaborative team of educators, including school nurses, counselors, and classroom teachers.

• I'm a teacher. What if I don't feel comfortable teaching some of the lessons?

The 3Rs lessons are taught by a collaborative group of teachers, counselors, and school nurses. Teachers are supported by the district’s nurses and counselors, and can seek help with lessons.

• What is being taught? Is there a scope and sequence? Can I see the materials ahead of time?

The scope and sequence is here. Comprehensive Human Sexuality Scope & Sequence 7.31.24. There is a set of required lessons in the first column, and a set of recommended lessons in the middle column. Not all schools/grades teach the recommended lessons.

• What if this curriculum conflicts with my beliefs? Do I have a choice as a parent?

Yes, parents are notified before lessons and are provided with an opt-out opportunity for their children if they wish. We trust parents to know what is best for their children. As a parent, you also have the right to decide whether you want your child to participate in the lessons delivered at their school. We welcome all students into the classroom, regardless of whether they will discuss this at home or not. However, we encourage all families to talk to their children about topics such as recognizing abuse, healthy friendships, their body, principles of consent, etc.

• I want to be the primary teacher of sex education in my household. Is this meant to replace that?

No. Open parent-child communication around sexual health topics has many positive effects for young people, including helping young people protect their own sexual health through more consistent and accurate contraception use and lower sexual risk behaviors. Read more at the link on how you can continue to have these conversations at home.  Conversations with a safe and trusted adult around sexual development and puberty are encouraged in the 3Rs lessons. The classes are not intended to be a replacement of in-home conversations, but rather an addition.

• Why is it opt out instead of opt in?

Opt-out instead of opt-in ensures students have access to health education. This curriculum aligns with the Colorado Academic Standards for health education, and is part of the district’s required instructional program, thus offered to all students which supports better health outcomes, while maintaining parental rights since parents have control over their child’s participation, and can withdraw their child at any time.

The opt-out consent policy reflects national practice.

Families have the right to review curriculum materials and may choose to opt their student out if they prefer. We respect that families hold diverse values and beliefs, and we encourage open communication. Our goal is to provide medically accurate, age-appropriate information that supports student health, safety, and well-being.

• How will parents be informed about opting their child out of lessons?

Parents will be notified and provided the option to opt out their child no later than two weeks before a class. A physical copy of the opt-out letter and a digital copy via regular school communication channels like Remind will be provided. The digital copy will include live links to lessons in English and Spanish. The opt-out letter will include instructions for opting out and the person to contact. Opting out does take participation on the side of the parent. Parents are expected to regularly check their child’s home-school folder and read school and district-based communications to ensure you get timely updates.

• If a student’s parents opted their out of a lesson, where will they go?

Students whose parents opt their child out of the lesson will be offered an alternative activity, which will vary by school.  Further details can be provided by school leaders.

• What does state law require for health education? 

Under Colorado Revised Statute §22-1-128, if a district chooses to provide human sexuality education, the school must provide parents with advance notice and curriculum information. Specifically, schools must provide:

• Written notification to parents or guardians before the instruction begins
• A detailed, substantive outline of the topics and materials that will be presented
• Information explaining that parents may excuse their child from the instruction without penalty
• The ability for parents to opt their child out through written request

Importantly, schools cannot require parents to give a reason for opting out, and students cannot be penalized or given additional assignments for being excused.