2414 - SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM

Elk Rapids Schools

Bylaws & Policies

2414 - SEX EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Board of Education directs that students receive instruction in Sex Education which:

	A.	is designed to prepare them for personal relationships between the sexes by providing appropriate educational opportunities designed to help a person develop understanding, acceptance, respect, and trust for himself/herself and others;
	B.	includes the knowledge of physical, emotional, and social growth and maturation and understanding of the individual needs;
	C.	involves an examination of man's and woman's roles in society, how they relate and react to supplement each other, the responsibilities of each towards the other throughout life, and the development of responsible use of human sexuality as a positive creative force.

2414.1	Subjects and Topics to be Taught

	A.	HUMAN SEXUALITY - may include the following:

		1.	Reproductive Anatomy - male and female

		2.	Conception and its prevention - may include limited discussion of abstinence, birth control pills, coitus interruptus, diaphragms, spermicides, and surgical implants

		3.	Pregnancy and Fetal Development

		4.	Multiple Pregnancies

		5.	The Birth Process

		6.	Miscarriages

		7.	Menopause as it occurs in the Life Cycle

B.	REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND HYGIENE - may include the following:

	1.	Recognition, Modes of Spread, Prevention, and Treatment of Dangerous Communicable Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including, but not limited to, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); Responsibilities of Infected Persons; Agencies Available for Counseling and Other Help.

	2.	Genital Hygiene - Male and Female - including Circumcision, Vaginal Douches and Tampons, Hazards of Tight Fitting Clothing.

C.	THE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER INSULTS TO NORMAL HUMAN SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND REPRODUCTION - may include:

	1.	Alcohol Use and the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome;

	2.	Dangers of Mind and Mood Altering Substances, Legal and Illegal;

	3.	The Reproductive Consequences of Mumps;

	4.	The Dangers of Radiation;

	5.	Teratogenicity (causes of congenital defects);

	6.	Prescription Drugs - Use and Misuse;

	7.	The Dangers of Tobacco and Tobacco Products.

D.	PLANNING FOR FATHERHOOD AND MOTHERHOOD - may include:

	1.	the Desirability of Marriage;

	2.	the Desirability of Emotional Maturity for Marriage;

	3.	Economic Requirements and Readiness for Marriage

	4.	the Desirability of Abstinence from Sexual Intercourse Before Marriage.

	E.	PREMARITAL ABSTINENCE - including discussions of:

		1.	Sexual Pressures;

		2.	Dating Partners;

		3.	Risk-taking Behaviors;

		4.	Group Activities;

		5.	Handling of Unexpected Situations;

		6.	Understanding Friendship, Love, and Infatuations;

		7.	The Reality and Desirability of returning to Abstinence.

2414.2	Notification and Exemptions From the Program

	A.	PARENT NOTIFICATION - A student shall not be enrolled in a class in which the subjects of (1) family planning, (2) reproductive health, (3) Sex Hygiene, or (4) characteristics or symptoms of disease are discussed unless the student's parent or guardian is notified in advance of the course and the content of the course, is given a prior opportunity to review the materials to be used in the course, and is notified in advance of his/her right to have the student excused from the class.

	B.	PROCEDURES FOR PARENT NOTIFICATION - Notification concerning Sex Education courses and their content shall be in the form of a written letter which shall be mailed annually, in advance of the periods of instruction, to parents and guardians of students enrolled in Elk Rapids Schools and shall include the following:

		1.	The name of the program and a description of its content.

		2.	Notification of the opportunity to review the instructional materials to be used in the program and directions to be followed for accessing those materials.

		3.	Notification of the right of parents to have their child excused without penalty, and instructions for obtaining such excuse.

	C.	EXCUSES FROM ATTENDANCE AT STATE MANDATED INSTRUCTION SESSIONS - As prescribed by State law a student shall be excused without penalty of any kind from those portions of courses giving instruction in the characteristics or symptoms of disease, family planning, or reproductive health upon timely receipt in the principal's office of a written statement by a parent or guardian stating such instruction is in conflict with his/her sincerely held religious beliefs.

	D.	EXCUSES FROM ATTENDANCE AT OTHER SEX EDUCATION INSTRUCTION SESSIONS - A student shall be excused without penalty of any kind from specifically named portions of any other Sex Education instruction upon timely receipt in the principal's office of a written request by a parent or guardian designating the portions of the program from which the student is to be excused, as long as the reason(s) for the excuse are stated, and are related to the subject matter involved.

	E.	If a parent or legal guardian of a student files with the District a continuing written notice that the student is to be excused from a class with instruction in Sex Education, the student shall not be enrolled in a class with instruction in Sex Education unless the parent or legal guardian submits a written authorization for that enrollment. (380.1507a - The Revised School Code)

2414.3	Instruction Guidelines for the Sex Education Program

	A.	The purpose of these guidelines is to articulate clear instructional objectives for Sex Education in Elk Rapids Schools by providing definitive guidelines for such instruction.

	B.	The focus of Sex Education in Elk Rapids Schools shall always be on the whole person, and shall include intellectual, physical, emotional, moral, and social aspects of the whole person as those terms are defined below:

		Intellectual:	The human person thinks about issues and ideas and makes decisions about his/her life. Humans have an intellect and a will, which allows the ability to choose.

	Physical:			The body is the physical structure which houses the person. It grows and matures more quickly than the rest of our person.

	Emotional:			The emotions (feelings) permeate our whole person. The mature person is one who understands and deals with his/her emotions.

	Moral:			All persons must face the questions concerning right or wrong. They must live life accordingly. They develop a moral code.

	Social:			Each person is part of a community. S/He learns to interact with others, develop friendships, and work to benefit others as well as self.

C.	Key characteristics of sex education instruction in the Elk Rapids Schools.

	1.	Directive Teaching Method - In instruction involving decision making strategies, the teacher shall direct the student to choices of legal, ethical, and moral dimensions that will promote health, abstinence, self control, character, self esteem, and maturity.

		The following Table of Characteristics shall be used in further defining Directive Teaching as opposed to Nondirective Teaching:

		DIRECTIVE INSTRUCTION			NONDIRECTIVE INSTRUCTION

		1.	Teacher is Director giving guidelines, standards, and reasons.		1.	Teacher's principal role is as Facilitator.

		2.	Knowledge is aimed at prevention.		2.	Knowledge is aimed at awareness.

		3.	Knowledge alone is not enough. Clear direction must be given.		3.	Knowledge and awareness are paramount No. direction is given.

4.	A clear message is always given. No "neutral" positions are presented.	4.	Sex Education is taught without moral distinctions.

5.	Effective - Truth predominates.	5.	Affective - Emotions, opinions, feelings predominate.

6.	Expected standards of behavior presented in the classroom.	6.	Public classrooms are deemed inappropriate for giving directions for expected behavior.

7.	Young people are taught decision making skills which help them make good, healthy decisions.	7.	Young people are taught to consider all options in making appropriate decisions.

8.	Judgements of behavior, not persons, are made.	8.	Nonjudgemental attitudes are emphasized.

9.	Risks, diseases, emotional distress, and failure rates of contraceptives are discussed.	9.	Emphasis is on use of contraceptives; failure rates are downplayed. Little emotional distress is discussed.

10.	Premise: Most teens do abstain while many others respond to "secondary virginity" and start over again.	10.	Premise: Most teens will be sexually active, and the best that adults can hope for is that they will act responsibility.

11.	Abstinence is presented as the goal.	11.	Abstinence is presented as a choice.

	2.	Abstinence Based Instruction - Abstinence shall be the instructional approach to reducing destructive behaviors among students, such as premarital sexual involvement and other activities which may result in sexually transmitted or noncasual-contact (AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.) diseases and teenage pregnancy. Abstinence shall be presented in the classroom as a positive, practical and preferred life-style that promotes self control, character, and good self-esteem. Teachers shall instruct students that sexual activity among teens is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Teachers in grades K-8 shall not initiate any discussions of contraceptives, but student questions that deal with definitions of contraceptives may be answered provided that the documented deficiencies of each is included in the answer. In grades 9-12 any discussion of contraceptives shall be limited to risks diseases, emotional distress, and failure rates.

	3.	Family Centered Orientation - The irreplaceable foundation of the family as the most important unit of society, and parent/guardian involvement in the formation of children's values shall be recognized by all instructors. The family shall be central in the teachings of Sex Education and its related subjects, and instruction in the Sex Education Program shall emphasize the positive value of sexuality within the context of marriage, shall include the merits of marriage and the family to society, and shall assist the student in understanding the role played by marriage and the family in supporting society.

	4.	Age Appropriate Instruction - All instruction, curriculum and any supplemental resources shall be appropriate to the grade level of students to whom it is presented, and shall be consistent with the values of the community as reflected by the Sex Education Advisory Board (P.A. 226 Committee) and the Board of Education. Curricula shall be implemented in a sequential program of instruction designed to meet the needs and developmental characteristics of the majority of students at any given grade level.

	D.	The Teacher's Role in Sex Education

		1.	Instructors in Sex Education and related subjects shall transmit facts, and provide clear guidance and principles based upon core values (i.e. integrity, self-control, fairness, honesty, respect for authority, respect for themselves, and others). Core values shall be taught as the basis for healthy behavior choices.

		2.	Teacher shall recognize parents/guardians as the primary sex educators of their children, and shall also recognize that parental guidance is essential and irreplaceable in Sex Education. All instructional materials, including teachers' manuals, films, tapes, or other supplementary instructional material shall be available for inspection by parents or guardians.

		3.	Teachers shall encourage cooperation and communication among parents, community and schools, and shall recognize that values consistent with those of the Elk Rapids Schools' Sex Education Advisory Board and Board of Education have been and shall continue to be considered as part of the guidelines for determining the subject materials and curriculum regarding Sex Education instruction.

		4.	Teachers selected to provide instruction described in this Sex Education Program shall be selected from among those who are qualified and have expressed and demonstrated commitment to the principles set forth in this policy.

2414.4	Questions Involving Controversial Topics

	The District Policy entitled CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES shall apply in its entirety to all questions involving topics of a controversial nature raised by students during the course of any Sex Education instruction.

	Any student participating in any Sex Education course may ask questions about controversial subjects such as, but not limited to, homosexuality, abortion, prevention of conception, etc., and may expect to receive a straightforward answer. However, whenever the controversial issue involved is not specified in the course of study or has not been otherwise approved to be included in the course of study by the Board or the Superintendent, that issue or subject shall not be used as instruction material.

	The teacher/instructor shall answer these controversial questions insofar as is possible with facts, but may also present theories and opinions as long as each is clearly identified as a theory or opinion. No matter how prestigious their source, teachers/instructors are prohibited at all times from presenting theories or opinions to students as facts.

	The Superintendent shall be responsible for in-service orientation/training session for the purpose of discussing appropriate teacher/instructor responses to controversial questions from students.

2414.5	Prohibited Acts

	A person shall not dispense or otherwise distribute in a public school a family planning drug or device.

	Clinical abortion shall not be considered a method of family planning, nor shall abortion be taught as a method of reproductive health.

2414.6	The Sex Education Advisory Board

	The Board of Education shall appoint two (2) co-chairs for the advisory board, at least one (1) of whom is a parent of a child attending a school operated by the District. At least one-half (1/2) of the members of the advisory board shall be parents who have a child attending the school operated by the District, and a majority of these parent members shall be individuals who are not employed by the District. The board of a school district shall include students of the District, educators, local clergy, and community health professionals on the sex education advisory board.

	The Sex Education Advisory Board shall periodically review the materials and methods of instruction used in all classes and courses offered under this policy, and make recommendations to the District regarding changes in the materials or methods.

	The Sex Education Advisory Board shall meet a minimum of once per year, and at least once per year its recommendations for changes in the materials or methods of instruction used in teaching Sex Education in the Elk Rapids Schools shall be made in writing to the Board through the Superintendent.

	Any complaint which pertains to materials and methods of instruction used in any class taught under this policy, which cannot be settled through the District's established grievance procedure at a lower administrative level, shall be referred to the Sex Education Advisory Board for review and recommendation, instead of to the committee of educators specified in the District grievance procedure, before it comes before the Board of Education. The Sex Education Advisory Board's advice on each such matter coming before it shall be in writing and shall be in the hands of Board of Education members for a reasonable time before the complaint is presented to the Board of Education for final settlement.

2414.7	Reproductive Health and Family Planning

	The Board of Education directs that students receive instruction in reproductive health and family planning. "Reproductive Health" shall be defined as that state of an individual's well-being which involves the reproductive system and its physiological, psychological, and endocrinological functions.

	In addition, students are to be provided instruction in the recognition, prevention, and treatment of noncasual-contact communicable diseases such as venereal diseases, HBV, and HIV; and the use of abstinence from sex as a responsible method for restriction and prevention of noncasual-contact communicable disease and as a positive life-style for unmarried young people.

	The Board accepts as policy the guidelines entitled "Sex Education Guidelines including Reproductive Health and Family Planning" established by the Michigan Department of Education. A copy shall be available for inspection in the central office.

	Each person who teaches K to 12 students about human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome shall have training in human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education for young people. Licensed health care professionals who have received training on human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are exempt from this requirement.

	A Sex Education Advisory Board (AG 2414) shall be established, in order to ensure the effective participation of parents and community groups in the design and implementation of this program area.

	Teacher consultants to the District will meet preparatory criteria established by the State guidelines before participating in sex education instructional activities.

	The District shall notify the parents, in advance of the instruction and about the content of the instruction, give the parents an opportunity, prior to instruction, to review the materials to be used (other than tests), as well as the opportunity to observe the instruction, and advise the parents of their right to have their child excused from the instruction.

	The Superintendent shall prepare regulations to implement these recommended guidelines which are to include at least two (2) public hearings on any revisions to any of the curricula described above. The hearings shall be held at least one (1) week apart and public notice of the hearings shall be given and conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

M.C.L.A. 380.1169
A.C. Rule 388.273 et seq.

Revised 11/14/94
Revised 1/27/97
Revised 2/14/05