Parents have the option to exempt their student(s) from instruction related to Reproductive Health and Disease Prevention. If you wish to opt your child out of this content, you can find the necessary information in your DCPS FOCUS parent account and on the district’s homepage by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Health Education helps students acquire essential health knowledge while developing positive attitudes, beliefs, and skills needed to make informed decisions about their well-being. Florida law mandates comprehensive health education in grades K-12, covering 12 key components as outlined in F.S.S. 1003.42(2)(0). The goal of this program is to encourage students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and make responsible choices that reduce health-related risks.

Parental involvement is a critical component of health education. Engaging in discussions with your child about these topics can help reinforce key concepts while sharing personal values and beliefs. Each lesson encourages open parent/guardian-child dialogue to support communication and informed decision-making.

Below is a summary of the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade reproductive health education lessons, which focus on puberty, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and responsible decision-making.

6th Grade Health (2 Lessons)

·         Puberty – Covers physical, emotional, social, and intellectual changes during adolescence, emphasizing hygiene and responsible health behaviors.

·         Abstinence and Setting Boundaries – Discusses the benefits of abstinence, setting personal boundaries, and resisting peer pressure to make safe and responsible choices.

7th Grade Health (3 Lessons)

·         Reproduction Basics – Explores the male and female reproductive systems, emphasizing self-care, hygiene, and the role of hormones in growth and development.

·         Pregnancy – Covers the stages of pregnancy, prenatal care, and the impact of teen pregnancy on education, health, and future opportunities.

·         Understanding STDs, STIs & HIV/AIDS – Explains different types of sexually transmitted infections, their symptoms, prevention methods, and the importance of early detection and medical care.

8th Grade Health (4 Lessons)

·         Your Changing Body – Reviews puberty-related physical, emotional, and social changes while reinforcing responsible health behaviors.

·         Male and Female Reproductive Systems – Provides a focus on reproductive anatomy, function, and personal health care.

·         STDs, STIs, and HIV/AIDS – Explores transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of STIs while dispelling common myths.

·         Prevention Methods – Discusses abstinence as the most effective prevention strategy while reinforcing refusal skills and healthy decision-making practices.

These lessons are designed to be age-appropriate, fact-based, and aligned with state education standards.

Additional information about required Health Education instruction, State Board of Education rulings, district policy, curriculum overviews, instructions on how to access resources related to comprehensive Health Education, and parental opt-out procedures can be found on the district’s Health Education web page or scrolling to the bottom of the district’s website (www.duvalschools.org).

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher, school principal, or district health specialist at hepe@duvalschools.org.

We value your partnership in developing the health literacy of our students to empower and motivate healthy decision-making, enhance communication skills, and encourage lifelong wellness.

After reviewing the materials and if you so choose to exempt your student(s) from the Reproductive Health and Disease Education curriculum, you may do so by logging into your Parent Focus account to complete the process. 

Detailed instructions to guide you through the process can be found here.