State sets standards

The Moorpark Unified School District Human Growth and Development Program features factual information that is medically accurate and objective, according to district officials.

Students are encouraged to respect marriage and committed relationships and they learn that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

But the program also provides information on other methods of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases so that students can implement responsible decisions about sexuality.

The program follows the California Education Code and uses stateadopted instructional materials which are available for parent preview.

The education code requires California school districts to provide instruction on HIV/AIDS prevention education at least once in middle school and once in high school.

Parents have the right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual health and HIV/ AIDS prevention education.

If the school holds an assembly on sexual health education or HIV/ AIDS with guest speakers, parents are to be given advance notice, including the date and name of the organization or affiliation of the guest speakers and a reminder of their right to request that their child not participate in the assembly.

- - Sylvie Belmond