Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires schools to receive parental consent when teaching sex education, gender expression, and other topics.

Highlights:

• Requires procedures by which parents may learn about parental rights and responsibilities under the laws of this state, include the following (Sec. 1-7):

• The right to opt in to a sex education curriculum if one is provided by the school district;

• Open enrollment rights;

• The right to opt out of assignments;

• The right to opt out of immunizations;

• The promotion requirements;

• The minimum course of study and competency requirements for graduation from high school;

• The right to opt out of IN TO instruction on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome;

• The right to review test results;

• The right to participate in gifted programs;

• The right to access instructional materials;

• The right to receive a school report card;

• The attendance requirements;

• The right to public review of courses of study and textbooks;

• The right to be excused from school attendance for religious purposes;

• Policies related to parental involvement;

• The right to seek membership on school councils;

• Information about the student accountability information system; and

• The right to access the failing schools tutoring fund.

• Establishes a parent of a student in a public educational institution has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance. A parent who objects to any learning material or activity on the basis that the material or activity is harmful may request to withdraw that parent’s student from the activity or from the class or program in which the material is used and request an alternative assignment (Sec. 2.A).

• Requires a public educational institution to obtain signed, written consent from a student's parent or guardian before doing either of the following (Sec. 2.D):

• Using video, audio or electronic materials that may be inappropriate for the age of the student; or

• Providing sex education instruction or instruction regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to the student. when the public educational institution seeks consent, it will at the same time inform the student's parent or guardian of the parent or guardian's right to review the instructional materials and activities.

• Classifies "public educational institution" as any of the following (Sec. 2.E-2):

• A school district, including its schools;

• A charter school;

• An accommodation school; and

• The Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind.

• Authorizes each school district or charter school to develop its own course of study for each grade. At a minimum, instruction will (Sec. 4.B):

• Be appropriate to the grade level in which it is offered;

• Be medically accurate;

• Promote abstinence;

• Discourage drug abuse; and

• Dispel myths regarding transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus.

• Prohibits a school district or charter school from providing instruction to a pupil on acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the human immunodeficiency virus unless the pupil's parent provides written permission for the pupil to participate in the instruction (Sec. 4.E).

Full Bill Text