June 13, 2000
The Utah State Board of Education Tuesday passed a new policy, changing sex education programs in public schools.
Education Specialist Nadine Wimmer shows how the changes are intended to ease the concerns of many parents.
The sensitive issues raised in sex education can make many parents nervous.
Linda Peterson/Parent: "YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT POINT OF VIEW THE PRESENTER IS TRYING TO IMPOSE ON YOUR CHILD."
But now the state has launched an effort to do a better job of informing parents and getting their permission before teaching certain topics,
with standardized permission slips.
Each parent can learn more about exactly what's in the lesson, and can request to review the information beforehand.
Carol Lear/State Office of Education: "NOW WE'LL HAVE A CONSISTENT STANDARD FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FOLLOW."
Nadine Wimmer, Eyewitness News: "PART OF THE EFFORT WILL ALSO GO TO TEACHER TRAINING, SO THAT EVERY UTAH TEACHER KNOWS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PARENT PERMISSION SLIP ON FILE FOR EVERY STUDENT BEFORE THEY CAN TALK ABOUT CERTAIN TOPICS."
"IT'S NOT THE KIND OF PASSIVE CONSENT WHERE UNLESS YOU HEAR FROM THE PARENTS, IT'S OKAY. YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE ON FILE."
The state will also hold teachers responsible for making sure guest speakers know what can and cannot be discussed under Utah law.
Parents and administrators say the new requirements will help ensure parents are on board with their child's sex education.
Linda Peterson/Parent: "WHEN PARENTS ARE LEGALLY AND MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO."
Carol Lear/State Office of Education: "I THINK IT SHOULD GIVE PARENTS A GREAT DEAL OF COMFORT AND ASSURANCE."
This effort was part of a compromise.
Governor Leavitt agreed to veto a law for abstinence-only sex ed, if the state would take stronger steps along these lines.
