Depending on the state you live in, you may have the option of opting your child out of specific curriculum – or even testing. 

Unfortunately, the ability to opt out of educational material is not universal. The majority of state laws were written specifically with sex and health instruction in mind. Some states – like Idaho, Missouri, and Massachusetts – drafted their laws to apply only to sex-ed; California law expressly limits opt-outs to very narrow categories within sex-ed. Other laws, like Iowa’s, apply more broadly to any health topics. And a few states have very narrow opt-out protections for AIDS-prevention instruction only.

Should you wish to opt your child out, all requests will need to be made in writing – and often needs to be resubmitted annually. 

Additional Resources:

• State-Specific Public School Opt-Out Forms, Pacific Justice Institute 
• The legal balancing act over public school curriculum, Phi Delta Kappan

Question & Answer Guide On California’s Parental Opt-Out Statutes: Parents’ and Schools’ Legal Rights And Responsibilities Regarding Public School Curricula, California Safe Schools Coalition