Outline of the state of South Carolina
State
South Carolina
Requires medically-accurate comprehensive sex education

Category
Sexual Health Education General—HS

Category
Sexual Health Education General—HS

State law requires teaching comprehensive sex education, medically-accurate sex education, or otherwise addresses all elements of comprehensive sex education as defined by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

South Carolina Code of Laws 59-32-10. Definitions.

(2) “Reproductive health education” means instruction in human physiology, conception, prenatal care and development, childbirth, and postnatal care, but does not include instruction concerning sexual practices outside marriage or practices unrelated to reproduction except within the context of the risk of disease. Abstinence and the risks associated with sexual activity outside of marriage must be strongly emphasized.

(3) “Family life education” means instruction intended to:

  • (a) develop an understanding of the physical, mental, emotional, social, economic, and psychological aspects of close personal relationships and an understanding of the physiological, psychological, and cultural foundations of human development;
  • (b) provide instruction that will support the development of responsible personal values and behavior and aid in establishing a strong family life for themselves in the future and emphasize the responsibilities of marriage.
  • (c) provide instruction as to the laws of this State relating to the sexual conduct of minors, including criminal sexual conduct.

(4) "Pregnancy prevention education" means instruction intended to:

  • (a) stress the importance of abstaining from sexual activity until marriage;
  • (b) help students develop skills to enable them to resist peer pressure and abstain from sexual activity;
  • (c) explain methods of contraception and the risks and benefits of each method. Abortion must not be included as a method of birth control. Instruction explaining the methods of contraception must not be included in any education program for grades kindergarten through fifth. Contraceptive information must be given in the context of future family planning.
Policy Type
Statute

South Carolina Code of Laws 59-32-20. Selection or adoption of instruction units by state board required.

(A) Before August 1, 1988, the board, through the department, shall select or develop an instructional unit with separate components addressing the subjects of reproductive health education, family life education, pregnancy prevention education, and sexually transmitted diseases and make the instructional unit available to local school districts. The board, through the department, also shall make available information about other programs developed by other states upon request of a local school district.

Policy Type
Statute

South Carolina Code of Laws 59-32-30. Local school boards to implement comprehensive health education program; guidelines and restrictions.

(3) Beginning with the 1989-90 school year, at least one time during the four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in comprehensive health education, including at least seven hundred fifty minutes of reproductive health education and pregnancy prevention education

Policy Type
Statute

South Carolina Code of State Regulations 43–238. Health Education Requirements

The CHE Act further requires that, at least one time during the four years of grades 9-12, each student shall receive a program of instruction in comprehensive health education to include the following subjects: community health consumer health environmental health growth and development nutritional health personal health prevention and control of diseases and disorders safety and accident prevention substance use and abuse dental health mental and emotional health reproductive health)a minimum of 750 minutes of pregnancy prevention)instruction is required for sexually transmitted diseases *)these three together. Family life (option in grades 9-12)

Policy Type
Regulation

South Carolina Standard for Health and Safety Education

Standard 1. High School. Reproductive health instruction is permitted before grade six at the option of local school boards (§59-32-30(A)(1)). ♦♦ Family life and pregnancy-prevention instruction is permitted in grades six, seven, and eight at the option of local school boards; sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs/STDs)-prevention and reproductive health instruction is required in these three grades (§59-32-30(A)(2)). A locally-appointed thirteen-member Comprehensive Health Education Advisory Committee reviews and approves local materials used for instruction in reproductive health, family life, and STD/STI and pregnancy prevention

G-HS.1.1 Describe physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during adolescence.

G-HS.1.2 Examine health behaviors that are specifically related to the male and female reproductive systems (e.g., self-examination).

G-HS.1.4 Identify the benefits, effectiveness, risks, and methods of pregnancy-prevention.++

G-HS.1.5 Explain signs, symptoms, methods of treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs/STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS).

G-HS.1.6 Describe the scientific processes of fertilization, pregnancy, fetal development, and childbirth.

G-HS.1.7 Discuss responsible prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care.

G-HS.1.8 Identify the benefits of adoption.

Policy Type
Standard