KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo Public School Board is adopting a new sex education course to update their decade-old curriculum.
The current program still refers to “pay phones” and doesn’t address issues like dating violence, social media misuse, and gender identity.
The new program, which was approved at their meeting on Thursday, is called “Rights, Respect and Responsibility.” It will reflect changes to social norms, with lessons that put an emphasis on consent and reproductive health and focus on today’s issues.
According to their website, “Rights, Respect, Responsibility is a curriculum that is fully meets the National Sexuality Education Standards. The curriculum seeks to address both the functional knowledge related to sexuality and the specific skills necessary to adopt healthy behaviors. Rights, Respect, Responsibility reflects the tenets of social learning theory, social cognitive theory and the social ecological model of prevention. It is free and can be adapted for your learning environment.”
Social Studies Director Nkenge Bergan says its taught in stages, from 5th to 12th grade.
Parents who commented on the new sex education program at the meeting supported it.
Bergan says parents can review the material online and they will still have the ability to opt out of certain lessons when it begins.
Some grades may begin using the new coursework later this school year.
