reprinted with permission of Linda Turley-Hansen
Ms. Turley-Hansen is an AZ syndicated columnist and former TV anchor and reporter
She can be reached at turleyhansen@gmail.com.
SEARCH FOR SEX ED PROGRAM PREDICTABLY RILES EAST VALLEY PARENTS
By Linda Turley-Hansen
I’m not sure when schools took on the dreaded job of teaching kids about the birds and the bees. But, I am sure they’re darn sorry. Especially those front line managers.
I wish parents would or could teach their children themselves, but many won’t or can’t and even those who can -- won’t do it the way the Left and the Right think they should, so here we are, strangers jostling over the most private part of a person’s life. Those persons – our children.
The Tempe Union High School District Board is the latest to find itself in the stew. Under its direction, an advisory committee is working on recommending sex education curriculum, a heavy task.
The head of that committee, Zita Johnson tells me that TUHSD currently “has no approved program.” Yet, I’m told by some parents that a program, called “Northstar,” is being taught in several district schools. If so, who approved it?
Johnson’s assignment won’t be easy. In recommending a plan, the committee must adhere to SB 1009 passed in 2012. It requires all instructional material, on sex education, to support childbirth and adoption as a “preferred option to elective abortion.”
In fact, the Alliance Defending Freedom has warned the district that it will sue if SB 1009 isn’t honored.
That warning, after it was learned Planned Parenthood was invited to present three sex education plans to the advisory committee January 7. Word was, the agenda allotted only 15 minutes for public comment.
Irritated citizens packed the house. Yeah. Educator’s most un-favorite thing.
Johnson would be wise to steer away from Planned Parenthood as a contributor on any level. Planned Parenthood carries the political burden of promoting abortion. The nearly 100 year old organization, heavily funded by your tax dollars, is pure poison for any public school system.
One Tempe parent, Peggy McClain, a precinct committeewoman in LD18, refers to Planned Parenthood’s 2012 fiscal year (cnsnews.com). It reports 327,166 abortions and only 2,197 adoption referrals creating a ratio of 149/1, a staggering difference and proof the organization cannot be an unbiased, much less, a credible consultant. (See page 15 of Planned Parenthood's Annual Report.)
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