State Sex Education Policies and Requirements at a Glance
Nevada schools are required to establish a human sexuality course. However, the course cannot be a requirement for graduation and therefore does not ensure all students receive sex education.
- Nevada has no standard regarding instruction on abstinence.
- Curriculum is not required to include instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Curriculum is not required to include instruction on consent.
- Parents must provide written consent for their children to participate in human sexuality education. This is referred to as an “opt-in” policy.
- Nevada has no regulation regarding medically accurate sex education instruction. However, instruction on AIDS must be factual.
State Law
Nevada Revised Statutes § 389.036 mandates that each school district’s board of trustees “shall establish a course or unit of a course of”:
- Factual instruction concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); and
- Instruction on the human reproductive system, related communicable diseases, and sexual responsibility.
Such classes cannot be a requirement for graduation. The subjects of the courses may be taught only by a teacher or school nurse whose qualifications have been previously approved by the board of trustees. Furthermore, each board of trustees must appoint an advisory committee to advise on course content and instructional materials. Advisory committees shall consist of five parents who have children in the school district and four representatives from the medicine, counseling, religion, student, or teaching communities. Nevada law also requires that:
The parent or guardian of each pupil to whom a course is offered must first be furnished written notice that the course will be offered. The notice must be given in the usual manner used by the local district to transmit written material to parents, and [it] must contain a form for the signature of the parent or guardian of the pupil consenting to his attendance. Upon receipt of the written consent of the parent or guardian, the pupil may attend the course. If the written consent of the parent or guardian is not received, he must be excused from such attendance without any penalty as to credits or academic standing. This is referred to as an “opt-in” policy. “Opt-in” policies unnecessarily create further administrative burden in enrolling students in sex education by requiring written parental consent PRIOR to students receiving sex education. This severely restricts how many students are able to receive instruction.
State Profiles provided by SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change. For more information regarding your state’s sex ed policy, visit https://siecus.org/state_profile/nevada-state-profile-23/
