HELENA – Helena school officials are changing some of the most controversial aspects of their proposed sex education policy following intense criticism from parents, and officials are making clear that abstinence-based teachings top the program.
Helena School District Superintendent Bruce Messinger unveiled the new proposal Tuesday night to the school board. An earlier version was lambasted by parents who argued it was too graphic and taught too much.
It removes an earlier plan to teach kids in first grade that people of the same gender can love each other, and strikes plans to teach second-graders it is hurtful to make fun of gay people by calling them names. Instead, the proposal stress current policy against bullying of all kinds — such as harassment for sexual orientation and many other reasons.
“That is our policy, it belongs here,” Messinger said.
Also gone from the plan is an earlier proposal to teach, starting in grade five, different types of acts included in sexual intercourse.
It 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. Other sections on general sex education remain.
The proposal now faces another round of public comment in two weeks before the school board later votes on it, and then finds teaching materials to match the policy. Not all opponents, some who seek little to no sex education in the schools, are swayed by the changes.
“It’s way too much for kids to handle,” said Wayne Hoffman. “What’s to stop them from using pornography as an instruction manual.”
The proposed 65-page document covers a broad health and nutrition education program, although controversy swirled around just a small portion that dealt with homosexuality and specific types of sex education.
A hearing earlier this summer swamped school officials with parents angry about teaching first-graders about same-gender relationships and fifth-graders that sexual intercourse includes “vaginal, oral, or anal penetration.” That version also taught kindergartners anatomical terms such as penis, vagina, breast, nipples, testicles, scrotum and uterus.
School officials obviously heard the criticism in making the changes.
“Some of what people focused on in comments was our graphic description of things,” Messinger said. “Part of this edit is to take that out.”
Sex education advocates still gave the revised proposal a warm review.
“The new draft clarifies the intent and age-appropriateness of the health education standards, particularly around sexual and reproductive health,” Jill Baker, education director of Planned Parenthood of Montana, said in a statement.