NC H694

Requires written parental permission before students receive instruction on sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods, and sexual assault awareness under the reproductive health and safety education program.

Changes reproductive health curriculum oversight from opt-out to opt-in policy by requiring schools to obtain written parental consent rather than allowing parents to withdraw children.

Expands character education requirements to include input from parents and school personnel in addition to the local community when developing and implementing character education instruction.

Mandates that all curriculum, classroom assignments, summer readings, and instructional materials must comply with and reflect character education requirements, with annual compliance evaluation by local boards of education.

Requires local boards to annually report to the State Board of Education on their evaluation of instructional materials and character education incorporation, with the State Board establishing evaluation guidelines for schools and community advisory committees.