Scottsdale Unified School District is potentially bringing sex education back to the classroom, with deliberations underway by a recently convened Sex Ed Advisory Committee to discuss the reintegration of sexual education and human growth development curriculums, as per a report by ABC15.
The district, which shelved its sex education program approximately four years ago, is now addressing inquiries from school nurses and parents regarding lessons on puberty and hygiene, which were offered before the pandemic, this unmet need has ushered the district's hand, officials are not only considering the state's educational requirements but also transparency for parents, acknowledging that while sex education is not mandatory in Arizona schools, there is allowance for it under state law, Dr. Karen Benson, an associate superintendent, expressed that anticipation of new state requirements prompted the pause in curriculum, Benson told AZFamily, emphasizing the importance of adhering to guidelines which mandate abstinence-based teaching.
Parents and residents will have their say during public hearings, with the committee's recommendations eventually going to the governing board for a final decision on the adoption of a potentially updated curriculum, parents, if sex education is reinstated, will retain the ability to opt their children in or out of the program, as stated in the law.
Mixed reactions are apparent among parents, with some, like Serena Dunkin, seeing the value in the curriculum, "I think it’s good to be back in curriculum," Dunkin told ABC15, believing in the paramountcy of more education, on the opposite side, Richard Cross shared with AZFamily his belief that it should not be a subject for classroom instruction, "I don’t think it should be taught in the classroom; that's just my opinion," he said.
