High School

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High School Family Life Education

Ninth and tenth grade students participate in Family Life Education (FLE) during their Health and Physical Education 1 (HPE 1) and Health and Physical Education 2 (HPE 2) classes.

The FLE curriculum in HPE 1 builds upon students' knowledge base of human anatomy, reproduction, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy prevention and disease control. The efficacy of contraceptives in preventing STIs and pregnancy are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the fact that abstinence from sexual activity is the only way to guarantee the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Students explore teen dating relationships and factors that may lead to dating violence/abuse and exploitation through teen sex trafficking. Students are taught prevention strategies and resources for help and assistance when it is needed.

In HPE 2 students continue to examine factors that contribute to healthy relationships. Students use decision-making skills to weigh the risks, responsibilities, and outcomes of sexual activity. Students study pregnancy and childbirth and examine factors associated with a healthy pregnancy. Issues related to teen pregnancy including responsibilities of teens as parents and the impacts parenting has on young parents, their families, and society are discussed. Students examine the benefits of postponing pregnancy and childbearing until adulthood.

HPE 1 and HPE 2 FLE Curriculum At A Glance

Learn more about Family Life Education at each grade by clicking on the tabs below.

HPE 1

9.5 The student will examine different types of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence and the effects of the abuse on a person physically, socially, and psychologically.

Descriptive Statement: Students will examine their own knowledge about assault, sexual harassment, and dating violence. Students will identify characteristics of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. They will also identify types of sexual assault and sexual harassment and their effects. Information on referral services is also provided.

9.1 The student will understand the human growth and development cycle.

Descriptive Statement: Information about developmental levels throughout the life cycle- prenatal, infant, toddler, pre-kindergarten, school-age, adolescent, young adult, middle-age, and elderly-is related to the complexity of childrearing and to the need for maturity before parenthood. Life-stage development is also presented to help students gain appreciation of their own development.

9.5 The student will review the nature and purposes of dating.

Descriptive Statement: Topics include understanding family guidelines related to dating, the functions of dating, and coping with the pressures experienced in dating situations. Students will discuss the signs of dating violence, sexual violence, physically and mentally abusive relationships, and the law and meaning of consent prior to sexual activity. Discussion may focus on the importance of group dating, rather than dating as a couple, in early adolescence.

9.6 The student will realize the importance of setting standards for controlling sexual behavior and of postponing sexual relations until marriage.

Descriptive Statement: The physical, emotional, social, psychological and economic consequences of premarital sexual relations continue to be emphasized along with reinforcement of assertive skills and ways to say "no" in terms that will enable the student to resist pressure from other teenagers and manage his or her own feelings and behavior. Instruction includes discussion regarding the law and meaning of consent. Emphasis is placed on an increased awareness that consent is required before any kind of sexual activity.

9.7 The student will interpret the effects and prevention of sexual assault, rape (including date rape), incestuous behavior, molestation, human trafficking, and sexual harassment using electronic means.

Descriptive Statement: This is a review of the use of assertive skills, conflict resolution, avoidance of risk situations, and referral services in the community. In addition to identifying such factors, the student explains or interprets them to others. The student will demonstrate proper approaches to dealing with physically and mentally abusive relationships. The student will identify the appropriate and inappropriate use of electronic devices. Instruction includes the legal implications for inducing someone to engage in commercial sex (i.e., purchaser, John, inducer). Instruction includes recognizing red flags of human trafficking victims, understanding the types of trafficking, and knowing how to safely and responsibly report a human trafficking situation.

9.9 The student will be able to explain the process of reproduction.

Descriptive Statement: Instructional components include anatomy, physiology, conception, fertility, fetal development, childbirth, and prenatal care.

9.10 The student will demonstrate an understanding of specific health issues, including the ability to conduct self-examinations.

Descriptive Statement: The focus is on factual information about menstruation, proper use of feminine hygiene products in relationship to cleanliness, pre-menstrual syndrome, menopause, and male- and female-specific concerns. Disease prevention through self-assessment and self-examination is reinforced with emphasis on breast and testicular self-examination.

9.11 The student will demonstrate knowledge of pregnancy prevention and disease control.

Descriptive Statement: Topics include planning for adult relationships, a review of factors to consider in planning for a family, misconceptions about contraception, a review of methods of contraception in relation to effectiveness in pregnancy prevention and disease control, and the decisions associated with contraception. Abortion is not presented as a method of birth control, but spontaneous abortion or miscarriage is explained and the risks of induced abortion are analyzed.

9.12 The student will explain the transmission and prevention of HIV.

Descriptive Statement: This is a review of the ways in which HIV is transmitted and the techniques for preventing this disease.

HPE 2

10.1 Students will identify factors that contribute to the growth and maintenance of positive relationships.

Descriptive Statement: Students examine the stages of developing romantic relationships (friendships, dating, mate selection, marriage) and universal values that are essential for successful and healthy relationships (honesty, trustworthiness, self-control, responsibility for self and others by establishing personal boundaries). Students define “consent” and recognize the importance of respecting others’ right to say no. Students identify characteristics one should expect in a healthy relationship—compromise; individuality; communication, conflict resolution; problem solving, understanding, and self-confidence. Students examine the difference between love and infatuation and become aware that one learns about oneself from every relationship, and these experiences prepare one for the challenges and responsibilities of marriage. It is emphasized that families and cultures may have different values and expectations about dating and marriage. Instruction includes a review of characteristics of unhealthy relationships that may lead to violence and abuse.

10.2 Students will examine factors to consider before becoming physically intimate and the benefits of postponing sexual intercourse.

Descriptive Statement: Emphasis is on the ability to understand and weigh the risks, responsibilities, outcomes, and impacts of sexual actions. Instruction includes the need to consider lifelong goals in relation to pressures for present sexual activity. Topics include readiness for parenthood; the consequences of unintended pregnancy; the effects of sexually transmitted infections; the impact on reputation and mental health; the importance of adhering to family values; the need to complete educational plans; the burdens of financial responsibilities; and interference with future goals and job opportunities. The positive benefits of postponing sexual activity are emphasized, and abstinence continues to be emphasized as the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

10.3 Students will recognize alternatives to sexual activity for expressing feelings and affection.

Descriptive Statement: Students are guided toward communicating feelings and affection through talking; through expressing ideas, values, and goals; through social and recreational contacts and community service; and through positive body language, caring gestures, and other positive mental health practices, rather than through sexual activity.

10.4 Students will demonstrate knowledge of pregnancy prevention and disease control.

Descriptive Statement: Topics include planning for adult relationships, factors to consider in planning for a family; barrier, hormonal, behavioral, and surgical methods of contraception and their effectiveness for preventing pregnancy and disease control; misconceptions about contraception; and the decisions associated with contraception. Abortion is not presented as a method of birth control, but spontaneous abortion or miscarriage is explained, and the risks of induced abortion are analyzed.

10.5 Students will describe pregnancy and birth and analyze factors associated with a healthy pregnancy.

Descriptive Statement: Instruction includes signs and symptoms of pregnancy, stages of pregnancy, fetal development, stages of childbirth, and birthing options. Topics will include preconception and prenatal care, and effects of substance abuse on pregnancy and fetal development. Students will examine the roles of the mother and father during pregnancy and birth. Community resources and support agencies are identified.

10.6 Students will examine issues related to adolescent childbearing and the benefits of postponing pregnancy until adulthood.

Descriptive Statement: Instruction includes a discussion of responsibilities involved and adverse consequences encompassing the emotional, mental, physical, social, and economic impact on young parents, on their families, and on society. The nutritional implications of high-risk infants and teenage mothers also are included. The effects of an adolescent pregnancy on the student's lifelong goals and potential achievements are emphasized. The benefits of attaining adulthood through education, work experience, and financial stability before having children and the effects on the family, child, and community will be discussed.