Notifying Parents and Guardians

The Education Amendment Act, 2024 (formerly Bill 27) received Royal Assent on December 5, 2024. The Education Amendment Act, 2024, amends the Education Act (formerly the School Act). Amendments to sections of the Education Act involving gender identity, sexual orientation and human sexuality are anticipated to come into effect on September 1, 2025, upon proclamation. See Supporting Alberta students and families from the Government of Alberta for more information.

The following information continues to be applicable until the Education Amendment Act, 2024 is proclaimed.

Section 58.1(1) of the Education Act, as it currently exists, requires that parents be notified when providing instruction that includes subject-matter that deals primarily and explicitly with human sexuality. If a parent has provided a written and signed request that the student be excluded from all or a portion of the human sexuality instruction, the student will be exempted without academic penalty.

Section 58.1(1) of the Education Act refers to courses, programs of study or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises, that include subject-matter that deals primarily and explicitly with human sexuality. In the context of human sexuality, this includes the learning outcomes in the K-6 Physical Education and Wellness, 7-9 Health and Life Skills or CALM curricula that are boldfaced and italicized. Section 58.1(1) of the Education Act does not apply to incidental or indirect references to human sexuality in a course, program of study, instruction or exercises or in the use of instructional materials. For example, if a student asks what masturbation means because they read the word in a novel in Language Arts class, the teacher can answer the question with all students regardless of who might be opted out of sexual health lessons. 

Most schools have a template letter that can be used. Contact your school administration for details specific to your school and school district.