The Lawrence school district is using national sexuality education standards in all of its schools this year.

District employee Sarah Oatsvall says the national standards are more comprehensive than state standards approved by the State Board of Education in 2006. The goal of the standards is to improve the students’ self-image, promote good behaviors and help students make good decisions.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the national standards include more information than the Kansas standards about birth control and sexual orientation.

The Lawrence district allows parents to “opt out” if they don’t want their children to participate in the sex education curriculum.