The Echo

Published Online: October 13, 2010


Helena, Mont., School Board OK's Revised Sex Ed. Plan

Helena, Montana
A Helena schools sex education plan that caused an uproar from parents who argued it taught too much too soon was approved Tuesday night after school officials made several changes aimed at easing criticism.

School officials first unrolled the plan last summer—before quickly withdrawing it amid a torrent of public outrage that it was too graphic and exposed children to more than they needed to know.

The revised plan, still the focus of plenty of criticism at a recent public hearing, removes such proposals as teaching children in the first grade that people of the same gender can love each other. District trustees approved the plan on a 6-3 vote.

The new version also makes sure that starting in fifth grade, educators are clear that abstinence from sex is a "healthy choice" and "the only 100 percent effective way" to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The changes weren't enough for many conservative and religious parents who argued sex education should largely be done at home.

Other parents countered that school is the appropriate place for students to learn scientific information on the topic. They argued children of all ages need to know more about how to protect themselves from sexual abuse, disease, unwanted pregnancy and other issues.

Only a relatively small portion of the 66-page health curriculum deals with sex education, but that portion by far received the most attention.

.School Superintendent Bruce Messinger told district trustees Tuesday night the changed plan "reflects the values and expectations of the Helena community and will provide quality, comprehensive health education for all students." He plans to develop specific curriculum that will be available at the start of the next school year.

MORE HERE: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/10/12/381507mtmontanasexeducation_ap.html