There is a great deal of controversy over the recently adopted sex education standards for students in New Jersey that were approved by the State Board of Education. As people who are interested in structuring curriculum that addresses present-day issues, how do you feel about this new curriculum? Inserted below are two articles that will give you some background on the controversy that now exists in many school districts. Please read one of the articles and insert a few of your ideas/concerns in your response. You can surely leave your more detailed thoughts for the class discussion of this topic that will take place on Tuesday.
https://www.nj.com/education/2022/10/njs-new-sex-ed-standards-hit-the-classroom-as-criticism-rages-in-some-districts.html
https://www.montclair.edu/cehs/2020/12/19/experts-sex-education-should-begin-in-kindergarten/
ReplyDeleteI believe that the sex education curriculum in the early grades need to be carefully planned, executed, and monitored. I feel that this curriculum should discuss topics such as preventing abuse, bullying, harassment, body image, and different gender diversities such as LGBTQ+. This curriculum should also include strategies for young children to practice assertiveness skills such as communication skills and decision making skills in order to expand on these topics.
I believe that similar to the Common Core Standards, the public schools should have a consistent message. From state to state, county to county, school to school, and even teacher to teacher what is presented to students varies. While my discipline is math, the curriculum for, let say, Algebra is relatively consistent throughout the state and country. A child that moves to a new district will have a similar content experience from their prior district. The sex education curriculum should be consistent throughout the United States. There should be a consensus of what is taught and each grade level. I believe children should learn to be respectful of differences.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the new sex education curriculum is important in educating students. This curriculum is important in keeping students safe and preventing abuse. I also think it is important to teach about the LGBTQ+ community in order for students to be aware and respectful to their peers. While this is all important, it is equally important that the planning of these lessons is very careful to not overstep any boundaries and to teach what is appropriate at different age levels.
ReplyDelete