Eighth and tenth grade students in six Montgomery schools might have the opportunity to be in cutting edge classes for sex education. On washingtonpost.com an article called "Schools Picked to Pilot Sex-Ed Lessons", we get the latest about the ongoing controversy of the pilot program.
Montgomery County school Superintendent Jerry D. Weast yesterday named six schools that will be the first in the county to introduce the topics of sexual orientation to students, an effort three citizen groups are fighting.
Should the pilot program go forward, written permission from parents will be required in order for students to be taught the new curriculum. The lessons "explore a range of sexual orientations and gender identities, define harassment and discrimination and teach tolerance."
The new teaching materials, first approved in fall 2004, have come under a great deal of scrutiny and criticism. The lessons were eventually rewritten so that the teachers follow a script leaving out any mention of religion. Current sex education curriculum in Montgomery only allows teachers to discuss sexual orientation if students ask direct questions.
It is difficult to protect children from the real world. When talking about the sensitive subject of sexual orientation, one might wonder, "How could they not know?" The subject is taboo in school but not in the media. Children usually know a lot more than their parents think they do.