Changes in Utah’s sexual education program was quietly approved in April of 2019. Most parents are probably not even aware that the changes have been adopted. Here is what you need to know.
The curriculum has changed from abstinence only to abstinence emphasized. This means that the focus will shift to an emphasis on abstinence before marriage and fidelity after marriage, however they will also move into teaching about contraception and the preventing of STD’s.
This year the schools have the option of using the old curriculum or moving to the new core standards. I was able to speak with Gary Allen, Assistant Superintendent over Secondary Education in Box Elder County, he said that this year they are planning on using the old curriculum since only a few of the teachers have had training. He also said his understanding is that the part about contraception is focused on prevention of STD’s including statistics and prevention. Superintendent Allen said to contact him in the spring and he will be better able to go over the exact changes since he will have feedback from teacher training. I have yet to hear back from Weber County Board of Education.
In trying to assess the exact changes taking place I visited the Utah State Board of Educations website: https://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/health?mid=908&tid=2
I read through all of the links from 5th grade and on. What I found should concern every parent! The website states they do not endorse information on the outside links, however on the “resources for teachers” for fifth grade there is “Who can I talk to about my body and sexual health”, when you click on the link it takes you to a planned parenthood page where it has links for information on puberty blockers, if their sexual organs are normal, and addresses wet dreams and masturbation. Keep in mind this is the 5th grade information and teacher resources
It grew more alarming from there, the Health 1 curriculum has links for the Trevor study on LGBTQ mental illness, links on gender identity, links on being gay and LGBTQ. Health II also covers birth control, pregnancy, and more on gender identity. If you click on any of the links it takes you directly to California educators training website for teachers with links on LGBTQ, birth control, my body my decision, and many more alarming topics. In fact two Utah moms have already raised the alarms about California's sex ed coming here. You can read more about it here:
As a parent here is what you can do. Call your local Superintendent and be armed with information on the links to the curriculum changes. Let them know as Utah parents we find this unacceptable! Also opt your children out of the health education portion, Utah is still an opt in state. Go to your principal and ask to see the curriculum, again let them know these changes are unacceptable. Write your superintendent and write and call the Utah state board of Education and let them know Utah does not want to be the next California! Change the curriculum now before it is too late. Our children are our most important asset and it is time for parents to step forward and protest these attacks on morality and the family.
