The goal of health education is to provide Kentucky students with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), “research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement (e.g., grades, standardized tests, graduation rates, attendance).” Skill development, in conjunction with opportunities for creating and reinforcing healthy behaviors, focuses on personal decision-making, goal setting, self-management, interpersonal communication, accessing information, analyzing influences and advocacy. When these skills are combined with foundational health-related information, students are equipped to navigate today’s complex society and lead healthy lifestyles.

Standard 7 Practices for Health-Enhancing Behaviors: Research confirms practicing health-enhanced behaviors can prevent many diseases and injuries and reduce harmful and risk-taking behaviors such as abuse and neglect, drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and sexual activity. HS.1.21. Evaluate the negative consequences of sending sexually explicit pictures or messages electronically. HS.1.22. Summarize the importance of talking with parents and other trusted adults about issues related to relationships, growth and development and sexual health. HS.1.23. Justify why abstinence from sex and drugs are the safest, most effective risk avoidance methods of protection from HIV, other STDs and pregnancy and summarize ways to prevent pregnancy and the sexual transmission of HIV and other STDs. HS.1.24. Describe the importance of shared responsibilities for avoiding sexual activity and preventing sexual risk behaviors and analyze the relationship between using alcohol and other drugs with sexual risk behaviors. HS.1.25. Summarize the relationship between the menstrual cycle and conception. HS.1.26. Summarize the signs and symptoms of symptomatic and asymptomatic STDs and the importance of proper adherence to contraceptive methods to reduce the risk of pregnancy and STDs. HS.1.27. Describe the increased risks associated with having multiple sexual partners including serial monogamy. HS.1.28. Analyze situations that could lead to being pressured to having sex. HS.1.29. Explain why it is wrong to trick, threaten, or coerce another person into having sex. HS.1.37. Explain why rape and sexual assault should be reported to a trusted adult.

If a school council or, if none exists, the principal adopts a curriculum for human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, instruction shall include but not be limited to the following content: (1) Abstinence from sexual activity is the desirable goal for all school-age children; (2) Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems; and (3) The best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems is to establish a permanent mutually faithful monogamous relationship.