Peeking at sex ed Peeking at sex ed (December 19, 2003)

Parents review revisions for 'Family Life' classes
by Teresa C. Brown

A review to discuss a possible curriculum revision for fifth-grade sex education, called Family Life, drew between 50 and 60 elementary and middle school parents to Walnut Grove Elementary School on Dec. 3.

"A majority of them supported the guidelines," said Sally Rayhill, director of Curriculum and Staff Development for Pleasanton Unified School District.

She added that general consensus appeared to be positive for curriculum revisions, which will leave it much the same as it has been since the last revision in 1992-93. While supportive of the revisions, parents generally agreed that they should go into further detail than the curriculum already does.

The curriculum primarily covers topics of growth and development, Rayhill said, adding that it is all factual information about pre-adolescent growth, reproduction and body change and development. The class is not mandatory, Rayhill said, adding, "Parents can opt kids out."

Rayhill said the revisions, which are based on the state's framework and elementary school-level guidelines, were presented to parents for feedback. "We had discussions with parents to find out if they concurred with the state topics and to get input from them about what should and shouldn't be included." Everyone there had some opportunity to give input, Rayhill said.

In addition to parents, Rayhill will also gather input from students who have been in the program in the past and from focus groups with committee members. The intent is to gather as much community input as possible before making any changes to the curriculum, Rayhill said.

She is currently compiling the input collected at the meeting for presentation to the Family Life committee, a group made up of parents, teachers and administrators. Rayhill said she expected that by spring the committee will make a recommendation for the new curriculum and hold a public preview for parents to see the selected materials.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.