October 31, 2008

  • I have to credit the election for providing me the motivation to blog for three days in a row. For so long, I felt like I just did not have anything to say that mattered. Now, it seems that I do. All in all, I am tired of the lies.

    Please read the California Education Code (EC) more closely:

    51933.  (a) School districts may provide comprehensive sexual health education, consisting of age-appropriate instruction, in any kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, using instructors trained in the appropriate courses.

       (b) A school district that elects to offer comprehensive sexual health education pursuant to subdivision (a), whether taught by school district personnel or outside consultants, shall satisfy all of the following criteria:

    "May" is not "shall." This is an option, not a requirement. Okay 96% of school districts currently take this option, but they ARE NOT required to. If the local school district "elects to provide comprehensive sexual health education" one of the criteria already in the EC is:

       (7) Instruction and materials shall teach respect for marriage and committed relationships.

    So, whether Prop 8 passes or not, children have been and will continue to be taught respect for marriage AND committed relationships. Frankly, I think more people would be upset if they realized Section 51930 is already in EC:

    51930.  (a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act.

       (b) The purposes of this chapter are as follows:

       (1) To provide a pupil with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect his or her sexual and reproductive health from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

       (2) To encourage a pupil to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family.

    However, if any of this creates a concern for a parent or guardian, they have and will continue to have "the right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual health education:

    51938.  A parent or guardian of a pupil has the right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual health education, HIV/AIDS prevention education, and assessments related to that education, as follows: