PART 2: "JUST LIKE PARENTING" - SEX AND POLITICS TACKLED IN THE CLASSROOM
PART 2 OF A 3 PART SERIES ON NON-ACADEMIC "NEEDS" ARIZONA'S CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO IN THE CLASSROOM THIS YEAR
Picking up where we left off. We pivot from the politics of SEL - social emotional learning - to sex ed guidance in K-12.
(In case you missed it… Here’s the LINK TO PART 1…)
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX - SEL & GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTITY INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN
Learning for Justice - a contributor to CASEL/SEL curriculum - also provide educators the tools. “Gender diversity or ready to start a gay-straight alliance at your school, our resources can help you and your colleagues shape inclusive policies and empower vulnerable students.”
“Teach the facts about sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and learn how to advocate for LGBTQ youth.”
This is a *NO* for many parents. And rightly so. Many would argue moral values like sex ed should be a job for parents.
But educators are seemingly getting more brave and bold in keeping such info from parents.
My question is… Whatever happened to ‘Reading. Writing. Rythmatic.’??
Arizona’s certainly got bigger problems.
“Arizona state assessments paint a dismal picture of a disrupted year of learning amidst COVID-19, with a majority of students failing to pass statewide tests in English and mathematics this spring, even as fewer students took the in-person test.” -AZCentral, August 2021
ARIZONA “SPARKED” WITH IDEAS FROM MICHIGAN
So now that we know a little more about SEL and how schools incorporate it to counsel students on their emotions and behavior in the classroom, we should take a look at the resources the State of Arizona uses as guidelines.
Not to pick on Litchfield Elementary School District… but it’s a great example of recommended resources local schools offer parents.
The first is… The Arizona Department of Education.
The Arizona Department of Education, obviously, works with the Arizona Department of Health Services. And the Arizona Department of Health Services - AZDHS - has worked with the Adolescent Health Initiative.
The Adolescent Health Initiative also works with Planned Parenthood branches and has a goal of transforming “the health care landscape for adolescents and young adults.” This initiative is a branch of Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan.
“CONFIDENTIAL” CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS
The Adolescent Health Initiative developed “Spark Trainings”… Free, ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations for providers and staff in any role to “spark” discussion and reflection among a multidisciplinary audience.
Sparks can be found on the “Confidential Care” page of the website.
Let’s check out a “Spark.”
Go to: SPARK: SCHOOL REFERRALS
“Build your school’s capacity to connect students to essential health services. By the end of this Spark, participants will be able to state what services minors can consent to without a parent’s permission and identify their role in referring adolescents to these health services.” -Adolescent Health Initiative
Keep in mind, the Arizona Department of Health Services is a listed client of this organization. As an example of information provided, go through the presentation slides for Illinois.
ARIZONA LAW AND WHAT TEACHERS DON’T HAVE TO TELL PARENTS
WHAT IS ARIZONA LAW? I covered it extensively in a previous Substack post here.
For Illinois educators, the Adolescent Health Initiative provides guidance such as…
The “Spark” lesson for Arizona is not listed on the same website. But I do encourage you to view my investigation about Arizona policies here.
HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG TO EXPOSE CHILDREN TO A SO-CALLED GENDER SPECTRUM?
The Arizona Department of Education refers minors as young as 10 to LGBT resources through its tax payer funded website.
Gender Spectrum allows children as young as 10 years old to enter its “online discussion groups.”
Q Chat Space says it’s for teens ages 13 to 19.
MY TWO CENTS
Many parents are in favor of SEL. And that’s ok. But the options for parents who don’t want their children exposed to the controversial curriculum have few options.
Telling me to “stop fanning the flames” on my Facebook page was a bad idea. Parents absolutely should know what’s happening in the classroom. After the last school year, they’re paying more attention.
“Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed what his office called “the most expansive school choice legislation in the nation.” It gives money to families that they can spend on private school, home schooling, micro schools, tutoring or any other educational service that meets the needs of kids. Any kid can qualify. The state simply gives families what they would have spent in the public school (up to $7,000 per child). That’s much more generous and simpler than other states’ choice plans.” -John Stossel
I’m very glad I don’t have to make the difficult decision whether to keep my kid in public schools or home school. My child was surrounded by great teachers who never really got into the political, SEL stuff. The focus seemed to be a good education and filling free time with productive activities and sports.
Finally, I was moved this week by a Texas mom who chose to take a difficult path. I think her passion explains this issue better than my three-part blog.
Please take a listen.
Gabrielle Clark speaks at the Texas House Of Representatives
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
And now… a BONUS Part 3! Arizona’s SEL department. (Coming soon.)
We introduce you to the Arizona Department of Education’s SEL resources. And we’ll follow the money to who’s behind the curriculum nationwide.