The New Sex Ed: Reviewing Sex Ed in Local Schools
Parents in a number of California school districts are demonstrating against new sex education curricula being used to teach their children.
Demonstrations have happened recently in Cupertino, Fresno, San Diego, and Anaheim, with some parents saying the new lesson plans are “too graphic”, and provide “too much information”.
It’s a view shared by Courtney Rehbehn, an Indio mother of four whose children attend private schools in the valley.
Rehbehn says she has “closely studied” the state’s new sex ed requirements.
“The things that are going to be taught, and the things proposed to be taught, definitely need to have a parents input and permission,” said Rehbehn.
Lissa Lewis, a Coachella mother of three, says so far sex ed for her children in valley public schools has been “positive”.
“I think sex ed is really important. It’s important that we keep our kids educated and informed so that they are able to keep themselves healthy and make the right decisions in life,” said Lewis.
Curriculum changes are happening now, as districts around the state are taking steps to comply with Assembly Bill 329, also known as the “California Healthy Youth Act”, which became law in January 2016.
Among the requirements, “abstinence only” education is not permitted, religious doctrine may not be promoted, and the education must respect and address the needs of students of all genders and sexual orientations.
“I don’t think its too much too soon, especially since were are in a such a social media day an age, with the internet. Kids have so much access to information at a younger age, so I feel that the sooner the better,” said Lewis.
In the Desert Sands Unified School District, the Senior Director of Curriculum, Dr. Marcus Wood says their new sex ed program for middle school and high school students does meet the new state requirements.
“The content really is aimed to be inclusive,” said Wood.
It’s called “Positive Prevention Plus.” Dr. Wood describes it as “less controversial” when compared to other sex ed materials being used around the state.
With 13 chapters, topics include “Gender and Sexual Orientation”, “Bullying and Abuse”, and a “Birth Control Guide”.
“The content first and foremost will talk about the only way to prevent STI and HIV infection is abstinence or delay. But at the same time, it will also talk about contraceptives for students to be safe,” said Dr. Wood.
The state directs districts to send a notice to parents about sex ed in the classroom, and state law allows parents to preview materials at a school district office before it’s presented in class.
With regard to parents, we really want them to have a good understanding of what the material is and what it is not,” said Dr. Wood.
State law also allows parents can opt their children out of some of the classroom instruction, by sending a written request to their district.
Here is additional information regarding how and when sex ed curriculum will be presented in desert school districts this year:
DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT:
– The district will present “Health Info Night” Thursday, December 6th, from 6:00 to 7:30, at the district office in La Quinta, to allow parents to
learn more about the new sex ed curriculum.
– Sex ed instruction for most middle school and high school students, for the current academic year, will begin in January, 2019.
– Training will begin in November for students at Shadow Hills High School.
– Middle school instruction will be performed by science teachers.
– High school instruction will be performed by physical education teachers and biology instructors.
– Curriculum consists of 13 lessons, running 50 to 60 minutes.
– Parents who have concerns or questions for the district can contact DSUSD by email: workingtogether@desertsands.us
PALM SPRINGS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT:
– Sex ed instruction for middle school and high school students, for the current academic year, will run from February to May, 2019.
– The curriculum used to teach high school students is “Positive Prevention Plus”, the same content used in DSUSD.
– Representatives from UC Riverside and Planned Parenthood will present lessons to middle school students.
– A school nurse will provide a 2 hour “puberty lesson” to 4th graders in the district.
– Some students in the district be presented a lesson called “Healthy Relationships”, provided by Jewish Family Services of the Desert.
– LGBTQ “components” will be introduced to 7th grade students.
– District administrators and teachers are performing a review of all sex education materials used in the district.
COACHELLA VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT:
– CVUSD did not respond to CBS Local 2’s request for information.
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