- Minnesota state law mandates the teaching of sexuality education, though it is not required to be comprehensive.
- All sex ed curricula must include instruction that helps students abstain from sexual activity until marriage.
- Sex ed curricula are not required to include instruction on sexual orientation, gender identity, or consent.
- The sex ed curriculum must be available for parental review. Parents or guardians may remove their children from instruction if they object to the content. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy.
- Minnesota’s National Health Education Standards and Minnesota Benchmarks provide guidance for local school district curriculum development. These standards briefly mention guidelines for lessons on HIV transmission and unintended pregnancy.
Some Sex Ed Advocates Within the State
For more detailed information on how various districts in the state have been implementing these standards — and for recent legislation — you can read SIECUS’s Minnesota profile.