Controversial Sex Ed Standards Explained By Washington Township Board

LONG VALLEY, NJ — New state-approved student learning standards covering sex education and gender identity have been raising concerns among parents in the Washington Township School District.

Last week the district held a health curriculum chat with Deborah Russo, Director of Curriculum, and members of the Health Curriculum Committee to discuss any updates.

The informational session was designed for K-5 public school parents to learn what will be covered in the health/physical education curriculum beginning this year.

In the presentation, Russo described how the state health standards are organized by “grade bands” which are meant to foster coherence across all school boards.

According to Russo, Washington Township School students are required to take health class throughout the school year. In class, students learn how to live healthy lives, and the lessons promote overall wellness.

The standards, appointed by the state address a wide range of issues and topics, including personal hygiene, mental and social well-being, community health and support, fitness, nutrition, safety and substance abuse.

There are also several areas that cover various sexual health topics, such as personal growth, pregnancy and parenting, and social and sexual health.

"Students are taught age-appropriate lessons for your child’s grade level. The Health Teachers present the lessons in a manner that is both respectful and responsible. Lessons provide students with medically accurate information and communication skills to help them make decisions that will promote healthy and safe choices," officials said.

Health teachers in the Washington Township Public School District met to review the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Standards and plan curricular revisions. Throughout the first year, the teachers will continue to meet and discuss the health curriculum.

One of the main concerns expressed by parents is the introduction of topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity as early as the second grade.

WTS will continue to discuss gender in an age-appropriate manner, with a very general discussion of meeting the standard in this grade band, according to Russo. This may include a discussion of students' likes and dislikes as well as activities they enjoy.

Teaching will not traverse into sexual orientation or gender identity, Russo said.

The NJDOE standards mention sexual orientation and gender identity in grade bands 3-5, but WTS does not intend to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with students between third and fourth grade.

For students in the fifth grade, the WTS curriculum will state the definition of both sexual orientation and gender identity, according to Russo. However, there will be no discussions beyond the definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity.

These definitions will be presented during the puberty lesson:

• Gender Identity: A personal sense of one’s own gender of self-expression.
• Sexual Orientation: One’s attraction to another person

Another concern raised by parents was the inclusion of teaching fifth-grade students about romantic and sexual feelings, masturbation, mood swings and the timing of pubertal onset. According to Russo, the district does not plan on teaching those sections of the curriculum.

"As WTS has done in the past during lessons traditionally considered “family life” lessons, there has always been an option for parents to opt their children out of instruction for these specific lessons as well as a preview of the videos/lessons prior to instruction," officials said.

To view the full curriculum and presentation, click here.