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Idaho

Sexuality Education Law and Policy | Recent Legislation | Youth Statistical Information of Note | Sexual Health Statistics | Comprehensive Approaches to Sex Education| Federal Funding of Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs | Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Curricula Used by Grantees | Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in FY 09 | Adolescent Health Contact | Organizations that Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education | Organizations that Oppose Comprehensive Sexuality Education | Local Newspapers | Political Blogs | References

Idaho Statute §33-1608 states that the “primary responsibility of family life and sex education” rests with a student’s home and church “and the schools can only complement and supplement those standards which are established in the family.”[1]  Local school boards are charged with the decision of whether to offer sexuality education, and if a school board decides to institute sexuality education, the program must place “major emphasis” on the home—including “appreciation of the important place the family home holds in the social system of our culture”—family, and church as areas of importance for learning such knowledge.[2] School boards must include parents and community groups in all aspects of instituting and evaluating sexuality education programs.

In addition, the program should give youth “the scientific, psychological information for understanding sex and its relation to the miracle of life.”  It must also include “knowledge of the power of the sex drive and the necessity of controlling that drive by self-discipline.”[3]

According to the Idaho Content Standards of Health, by the end of the 12th grade, students should be able to “assess the consequences of sexual activity (unplanned pregnancy, STDs, emotional distress).”[4]

Parents or guardians wishing to excuse their children from sexuality education must file a written request to the school board.  The school board will then supply the parent with necessary forms to remove the child from the class.  This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy.

• In 2009, 39% of female high school students and 39% of male high school students in Idaho reported ever having had sexual intercourse compared to 46% of female high school students and 46% of male high school students nationwide.

• In 2009, 3% of female high school students and 5% of male high school students in Idaho reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13 compared to 3% of female high school students and 8% of male high school students nationwide.

• In 2009, 86% of high school students in Idaho reported having been taught about AIDS/HIV in school compared to 87% of high school students nationwide.

• Idaho’s teen pregnancy rate ranks 39^th in the U.S., with a rate of 55 pregnancies per 1,000 young women ages 15–19 compared to the national rate of 70 pregnancies per 1,000.[6] There were a total of 2,940 pregnancies among young women ages 15–19 reported in 2005, the most recent year for which data are available, in Idaho.[7]

• Idaho’s teen birth rate ranked 27^th in the U.S. in 2005, with a rate of 37.7 births per 1,000 young women ages 15–19 compared to the national rate of 40.5 births per 1,000.[8] In 2005, there were a total of 2,015 live births reported to young women ages 15–19 in Idaho.[9]

• In 2006, the U.S. teen birth rate increased for the first time in 15 years by 3% from 40.5 to 41.9 births per 1,000 young women ages 15–19, after having steadily declined between 1991 and 2005.[10] Idaho’s teen birth rate also increased between 2005 and 2006, from 37.7 to 39.2 births per 1,000 young women ages 15–19.[11] 

• Idaho’s teen abortion rate ranks 47^th in the U.S., with a rate of 4 abortions per 1,000 young women ages 15–19 compared to the national rate of 19 abortions per 1,000. In 2005, there were a total of 257 abortions reported among young women ages 15–19 in Idaho.[12]  

• Idaho ranks 44^th in cases of HIV infection diagnosed in the U.S. among all age groups. In 2007, there were a total of 17 new cases of HIV infection diagnosed in Idaho. [13]

• In 2007, there were no young people ages 13–19 diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Idaho.[14]

• Idaho’s AIDS rate ranks 49^th in the U.S., with a rate of 1.5 cases per 100,000 population compared to the national rate of 12.5 cases per 100,000.[15]

• Idaho ranks 47^th in number of reported AIDS cases in the U.S. among all age groups. In 2007, there were a total of 23 new AIDS cases reported in Idaho.[16]

• In 2007, there were no AIDS cases reported among young people ages 13–19 in Idaho.[17]

• Idaho ranks 43^rd in reported cases of Chlamydia among young people ages 15–19 in the U.S., with an infection rate of 12.71 cases per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 19.51 cases per 1,000. In 2008, there were a total of 1,410 cases of Chlamydia reported among young people ages 15–19 in Idaho.[18] 

• Idaho ranks 48^th in reported cases of gonorrhea among young people ages 15–19 in the U.S., with an infection rate of 0.31 cases per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 4.52 cases per 1,000. In 2008, there were a total of 34 cases of gonorrhea reported among young people ages 15–19 in Idaho.[19] 

• Idaho ranks 31^st in reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis among young people ages 15–19 in the U.S., with an infection rate of 0.01 cases per 1,000 compared to the national rate of 0.04 cases per 1,000.[20]

• Idaho chose not to participate in the Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage program in Fiscal Year 2009. The state was eligible for approximately $208,264 in funding. Due to the expiration of the grant program on June 30, 2009, three months prior to the end of the federal fiscal year, the state would have received three quarters of the total funding allocated for the full fiscal year.

• There are no CBAE grantees in Idaho.

• There are no AFLA grantees in Idaho.