Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: During the 2020 Virginia General Assembly session, legislation passed requiring individualized education program teams to consider the need for certain age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction. House Bill 134 required the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to establish guidelines for individualized education program (IEP) teams to utilize when developing IEPs for children with disabilities to ensure that IEP teams consider the need for age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction related to sexual health, self-restraint, self-protection, respect for personal privacy, and personal boundaries of others. The legislation also requires each local school board, in developing IEPs for children with disabilities, in addition to any other requirements established by the Board, to ensure that IEP teams consider such guidelines. The purpose of this document is to provide school divisions a framework for the development of operating guidelines tailored to local resources and service delivery models. This document does not replace any federal or state regulations. Additionally, this information is provided to assist IEP teams in considerations for instructional planning and implementation in these critical areas.
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5/21/21  3:39 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Access to comprehensive education
 

All students should be provided the opportunity to access comprehensive educational resources so they can make informed decisions about romantic and sexual relationships. Medically accurate information on the following should be provided: identity, healthy relationships, affirmative consent, healthcare, STI prevention, pregnancy prevention, and methods of protection.

Additionally, language in the guidelines should be revised so they do not imply that sexual health education is primarily needed to prevent abuse. Education on harm reduction and prevention alone will not prevent abuse and harm. 

 

 

CommentID: 98633