CURRICULAR EXEMPTIONS

CURRICULAR EXEMPTIONS 6122

Mandatory Curricular Exemptions:

Upon the written request of a parent or guardian received by the school district prior to planned instruction in the areas set forth below, the Board shall permit curricular exemptions for instruction in the following areas:

1. Dissection;
2. Family life education;
3. HIV/AIDS; and
4. Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program (effective upon the implementation of the sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program identified or developed by the state).

Definitions:

“Dissection Instruction” is defined as instruction in which a student must participate in, or observe, the dissection of any animal.

“Family Life Education Instruction” is defined as instruction pertaining to family planning, human sexuality, parenting, nutrition and the emotional, physical, psychological, hygienic, economic and social aspects of family life.  

“HIV/AIDS Instruction” is defined as ongoing and systematic instruction on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) offered by the district pursuant to state law.

“Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program” is defined as the state-wide program identified or developed by the Department of Children and Families, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. (or a similar entity) that includes age-appropriate educational materials designed for children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, regarding child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention that may include, but not be limited to, (A) the skills to recognize (i) child sexual abuse and assault, (ii) boundary violations and unwanted forms of touching and contact, and (iii) ways offenders groom or desensitize victims, and (B) strategies to (i) promote disclosure, (ii) reduce self-blame, and (iii) mobilize bystanders.

Written Request for Mandatory Exemption:

Parents who wish to exercise such exemptions must notify the school district in writing within the first two weeks of school.

Permissive Curricular Exemptions:

Except for the mandatory curricular exemptions noted above, or otherwise required by law, the Board does not require teachers to exempt students from any other aspect of the curriculum.  

Alternative Assignments:

1. Any student excused from participating in, or observing, the dissection of any animal as part of classroom instruction shall be required to complete an alternate assignment to be determined by the teacher.
2.   Any student excused from participating in the sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program shall be provided, during the period of time in which the student would otherwise be participating in such program, an opportunity for other study or academic work as determined by the teacher.
3.   Any student excused from any other aspect of the curriculum may be required by the teacher to complete an alternative assignment as determined by the teacher.

Legal References:

Connecticut General Statutes Sections. § 10-16c

Connecticut General Statutes Sections. § 10-16e  

Connecticut General Statutes Sections § 10-18d

Connecticut General Statutes Sections § 10-19(b)

Connecticut General Statutes Sections § 17a-101q, as amended by Special Session Public Act 15-5, § 415

Approved  November 17, 2015

Amended  December 6, 2016