OPS spent two years working on the Human Growth & Development curriculum.
They offered a parent survey, collected community input and conducted two forums that gave the district the opportunity to hear from parents about what they felt should and should not be included in the curriculum.
And though the new curriculum is in place, there is still plenty of misinformation out there about what’s being taught.
Dr. ReNae Kehrberg is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Support for OPS.
She says correcting misinformation has been OPS’ primary focus since updating its Human Growth & Development Curriculum.
Kehrberg says OPS believes parents are the primary teachers of content about human growth and development.
And to that end, all parents can decide whether to opt their child out or in of the curriculum. That decision depends on the student’s age.
"Check our website. Look at the facts and be sure you’re informed. We want our parents to be sure they’re making the right choice for them and their child, that’s why this is optional. There’s no need for parents to worry about it. They can get informed. They can talk to a nurse. They can talk to a Human Growth & Development teacher. And ultimately, they can either not opt-in or they can choose to opt out.”
Kehrberg says OPS is happy to support its parents’ decision, whatever that may be.
More information is available at district.ops.org.