Sexual Education Policy in Mississippi

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The Mississippi Legislature approved House Bill 999 in 2011 (Siecus, 2021), mandating that public schools adopt an abstinence-only or abstinence-plus sexual education policy (Casetext, 2022, p. 1). In addition, the legislative session of 2022 imposes further limits on the instruction of sex instruction in public schools, including the division of boys and girls throughout sex education and the necessity that families opt-in for their child to participate.

Sexuality education in schools is not required to include every aspect of abstinence-only education. Yet, no instruction given as part of an abstinence-only program may contravene any of the mentioned components. Teaching may also involve a review of contraceptives to provide a true portrayal of the dangers and failure rates. Additionally to teaching abstinence-only principles, abstinence-plus training may also include wider sexual health subjects, such as the origin, causation, and consequences of STDs as well as HIV and other STD prevention education (Casetext, 2022). Nonetheless, the curriculum must not contain condom application and usage training and demonstrations.

At this point, it is essential to stress that each districts curricula must be approved by the Mississippi Department of Education, and a procedure must be established to ensure that teaching is age, grade, and psychologically appropriate. Pupils must always be divided by gender while sex education is being taught. In addition, no abstinence-only or abstinence-plus curriculum may teach that abortion may be utilized to prevent pregnancy. Moreover, it should be noted that parents or guardians are to be notified at least one week before any human sexuality teaching is provided. Before a student may enroll in a sex education program, the school must get written consent from a parent or legal guardian.