Lompoc Unified School District is prepping a new state mandated sex education course and parents got a sneak peak of what their kids will be learning.
The district held an open house for parents to look through sex ed material offered at the 5th, 7th and 9th grade levels, and it’s all mandated by California’s Healthy Youth Act, which took effect in 2016.
Some of the new lessons touch upon birth control, consent, HIV prevention, gender identity and gender orientation.
The new curriculum is one approved by the California Department of Education and will be used for this first time at LUSD this year.
A district spokesperson said the program not only meets state requirements but also the district’s philosophies.
"It’s no different than any academic subject in that regard we’re always looking to say what’s going to provide the best possible educational experience for our students and we think it’s a quality curriculum,” said John Karbula, Assistant superintendent of Business Services.
One dad didn’t like how much detail some of the subjects went into.
Branum thought it covered contemporary topics well.
"It’s sexual education and so i think the terms in there are appropriate. You know between sexual preferences, gender identity. You know some of those labels we hear but really getting some clarity was helpful to see,” said Gina Branum, a Lompoc parent.
Parents can opt their kids out of the lesson, but will have to meet state education requirements in some other way.
"We respect the fact that the parent is the child’s first and most important teacher,” added Karbula.
Regardless of the decision, most parents said they appreciated the opportunity to read over the material.
The courses will be taught by district teachers and nurses not an outside agency.
Parents have until September 28th to opt out but again will have to work out an alternative with the district.
Another open house will be held September 10th from 2 to five p-m at the Lompoc unified school district education center.
