NYCLU Reviewed Sex Education Curricula Across State
A new review found many districts prioritize abstinence, leaving gaps in essential sexual health and consent education.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Sexual Health
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The New York Civil Liberties Union recently audited the sex education curricula of 50 school districts statewide. The report highlighted that 94% of these districts present abstinence as the most effective option, despite rising rates of sexually transmitted infections.
Why it matters
The review argues for a standardized, comprehensive sexual health curriculum across New York to better address modern student needs. This shift is prompted by data showing significant gaps in how schools teach consent, sexual assault prevention, and protection.
A review of 50 school districts revealed that 94% emphasize abstinence, while 24% of districts provide problematic or no information on consent and dating violence. These findings are contrasted against a 13% increase in sexually transmitted infections over the past ten years.
The players
New York Civil Liberties Union
An organization that advocates for civil rights and liberties through policy review and legal action in New York.
Shenendehowa
A school district that received a failing grade in the report regarding its sexual health curriculum.
Schenectady
A school district that received a C-minus grade and plans to improve its curriculum in response to the report.
Cairo
A school district identified in the report for using outdated materials containing misinformation about HIV.
The details
The NYCLU utilized Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to obtain educational materials from 50 districts. The investigation identified that some schools rely on outdated documents, such as a Cairo district worksheet containing medical misinformation about HIV transmission that dates back to at least 2012. These curricula often fail to account for modern adolescent health realities, such as the 56% of sexually active adolescents who report having sex without a condom.
Timeline
1991: 54% of high school students reported having sex.
2003-2011: 60% of students reported using condoms.
2012: The NYCLU previously reviewed sex education materials.
2024: The NYCLU issued FOIL requests to districts for the latest audit.
2025: 28.5% of high school students reported having sex.
Health Landscape
The study highlights a persistent gap between state mandates and local implementation of comprehensive sexual health education. This discrepancy reflects a broader, ongoing challenge in aligning public health curriculum with the rising incidence of STIs.
Parents and students are encouraged to review their local district's health curriculum to understand what is being taught regarding consent and disease prevention. Questions about the accuracy of health materials in your district are worth discussing with school board representatives and physicians.
The takeaway
The report underscores the importance of verifying the accuracy of sexual health information provided to students. Families should consult with school administrators about how consent and disease prevention are taught to ensure it reflects current health standards.
What happens next
Schenectady school district has committed to reviewing and improving its sexual health curriculum following the report's findings.
Further reading
Learn more about local public health efforts at Sexual Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Union.
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Should schools in your area provide comprehensive sexual health education rather than abstinence-only instruction?
