Parents/Students » Parental Opt-Out Information

Parental Opt-Out Information

Parent Rights and Curriculum Transparency

In accordance with recent state guidance following Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025):
Parents and guardians may request that their child be excused from portions of instruction in health, family life education, or sex education that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs, as permitted by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7.

Recent State Regulation Updates

(Effective November 3, 2025)

To support parents and schools:

  • N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.4(e): Every district must have and publicly share a process for parents/guardians to submit a signed opt-out statement under N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7.
  • N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1(a)3: Districts must make curriculum pacing guides and core instructional materials available to the public so families can review classroom content.

What This Means for Sussex Tech Families

  • Parents or guardians may request that their child be excused from certain lessons that conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs.
  • All Sussex Tech curriculum materials are publicly available for review under the Curriculum tab on our website.
  • Parents who wish to opt their child out of specific lessons based on religious objections may complete the following form:
    📄 Parental Opt-Out Request Form

Sussex Tech will continue to follow all New Jersey Student Learning Standards and required curriculum laws, including instruction on diversity, inclusion, and the history and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities.
The recent court decision does not remove or change these requirements; rather, it highlights the importance of transparent and respectful opt-out procedures.

Our Commitment

Sussex Tech remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for all students while honoring the rights of families to make faith-based educational decisions within the bounds of state law.