Location is becoming a greater factor in whether a student receives quality sex education, according to the SIECUS 2026 State Report Cards. Legislation and policies that influence classroom education vary widely, suggesting a growing, politically charged split in sex education across the country.
State policies create uneven access
Currently, just five states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Washington—mandate comprehensive sex education. The contrast is more pronounced in the report’s grades: 10 states got an “F,” and only six got an “A.”
Legislative action would widen the gap. SIECUS tracked 174 sex education bills in 2026, with 54% aimed at restricting instruction.
These limits are moving forward against a backdrop of positive national health trends. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the teen birth rate hit another historic low in 2025. It dropped 7% to 11.7 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19. It is now 81% below its most recent peak, reached in 1991.
Research supports comprehensive sex education
Research has found that the incidence of pregnancy falls when young people are given accurate information about reproductive health. A separate study of federally funded programs found that more comprehensive sex education contributed to a greater than 3% reduction in county-level teen birth rates.
“What young people are allowed to learn about their bodies is increasingly being determined by politics, not by what they need to be healthy and safe,” said Callie Simon, executive director of SIECUS. “We are seeing a coordinated effort to replace comprehensive, medically accurate sex education with shame and misinformation that serves a broader agenda.”
The report cards make these policy gaps evident and help communities understand what is happening in their states. For K-12 leaders, the information can serve as a starting point for advocating for instruction that fits students’ needs.
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