DCPS delays sex education curriculum vote due to new state law

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A deliberate dialogue of the fabric Duval County Public Faculties makes use of to show college students about reproductive well being has been pulled from Monday night time’s faculty board agenda.

The district had deliberate to debate the approval of a slate of curriculum supplies from third events together with HealthSmart, Draw the Line/Respect the Line, and Reducing the Risk.

“As an alternative of adopting supplies from any publishing firm, the district will create its personal supplemental supplies to satisfy academic necessities outlined in Florida statutes,” the district’s communication team wrote in a blog post.

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The put up went on to say that the curriculum into account didn’t “deal with all statutory necessities of regulation.”

“It has change into abundantly clear to me that our inner group can create classes and supplies that serve college students’ academic wants and meet our necessities below the regulation,” mentioned Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene. “Ranging from scratch and adhering to the boundaries of Florida Statute might be a far simpler activity than making an attempt to change or discover present writer supplies which will or could not meet Florida’s requirements.”

The district will put collectively a group of well being educators to develop new supplies and classes.

These classes are going to be made out there to the general public no less than 20 days earlier than a college board assembly. Then, they are going to be allowed to weigh in on the brand new supplies earlier than the board approves them.

This reevaluation of the curriculum is because of a 2021 revision to state regulation which requires every of Florida’s 67 faculty boards to yearly approve all supplemental supplies for intercourse ed.

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The complete textual content of the state statute on the heart of this delay will be learn in full under.

“Every district faculty board could present instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome schooling as a selected space of well being schooling. Such instruction could embrace, however shouldn’t be restricted to, the identified modes of transmission, indicators and signs, danger components related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and means used to manage the unfold of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The instruction shall be applicable for the grade and age of the coed and shall mirror present principle, data, and follow concerning acquired immune deficiency syndrome and its prevention.

(2) All through instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted ailments, or well being schooling, when such instruction and course materials incorporates instruction in human sexuality, a college shall:

(a) Train abstinence from sexual exercise exterior of marriage because the anticipated commonplace for all school-age college students whereas educating the advantages of monogamous heterosexual marriage.

(b) Emphasize that abstinence from sexual exercise is a sure method to keep away from out-of-wedlock being pregnant, sexually transmitted ailments, together with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and different related well being issues.

(c) Train that every scholar has the ability to manage private conduct and encourage college students to base actions on reasoning, vanity, and respect for others.

(d) Present instruction and materials that’s applicable for the grade and age of the coed.”

§ 1003.46, Fla. Stat. (20210