After backlash from summer residents, school board officials Wednesday adopted a new sex education curriculum for K-8 students.
The revisions adopted at the School Board’s September 14 meeting were the last of an overhaul for the 2022-23 school year in subjects such as social studies, math and computer science. They were also the most controversial.
New Jersey’s comprehensive health and physical education standards have proven controversial throughout the state due to mandates regarding sex education classes in health classrooms.
While parents can opt public school students out of health classes altogether, Ringwood’s opponents urged officials to streamline the program or abandon state mandates on LGBTQ education to We asked all schools to limit the introduction of the topics of sex, health and family life. student. Many, including some directors, said multiple topics were age-appropriate. advertised a profit.
On Wednesday, the school board agreed to delay optional lessons related to sexuality in elementary schools as late as possible while still meeting state standards. Education-level classes provide students with the information the state requires to learn about topics such as gender identity, sexual relationships and human reproduction, and “move on,” he said.
“In many ways, we’ve narrowed it down to just ticking boxes,” Bernice said.
In the district’s middle school, Bernice said instruction will be more robust. rice field.
Unlike other parts of the curriculum, Bernice said, the resources used for district social and sexual health classes are not fluid. It must be approved by both the superintendent and school board to act.
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This decision corresponds to the proposed removal of resources in video form from AMAZE.org, which creates sex education content on sexuality and gender identity for children. Bernice said the concern was not with the content of the video, but with the organization that produced it.
“Regardless of how well it lives up to the standards…if it’s a concern, there’s no point in arguing about it,” he said.
District officials planned to adopt the full K-8 curriculum on August 29, after a month-long public review. But by late June, when the curriculum design process began, he already seemed likely to experience delays. Erica Travan of the town’s Democratic organization, at a June 27 meeting, accused board members of holding back when it came to integrating the new state standards into the district’s health curriculum for 2022-23. did.
In the weeks that followed, some board members and parents opposed the new standards and debated the role of teachers, parents and peers in sex education and the effectiveness of teaching at different ages.
The revisions confirmed Wednesday included information from individual discussions, emails, the board’s curriculum committee and teachers, Bernice said. According to board member Paul Lebackie, those who are uncomfortable with the changes can remove students from instruction or explore and utilize the district’s resources further.
“At least there is transparency about what is taught,” he said.
Town resident Teresa Struck praised the school district’s curriculum changes and transparency in the process, and said she was grateful the issue was resolved.
“It’s time to move on. Focus on learning loss through virtual learning and student safety,” Struck said.
David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. Subscribe today or activate your digital account for unlimited access to the most important news from your local community.
Email: zimmer@northjersey.comTwitter: @dzimmernews
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