Montgomery County Public Schools
Facts About the Health Education Curriculum
On November 9, 2004 the Board of Education of Montgomery County Public Schools
(MCPS) adopted the 2003-2004 Annual Report of the Citizens Advisory Committee on
Family Life and Human Development by a unanimous vote. This Citizens Advisory
Committee has 27 members, including parents, citizens, students, and school staff.
The action of the Board follows a three-year study that provided numerous opportunities for
parent input. Changes do not affect most major components of the existing health curriculum
and are in line with the curriculum of many other school systems in the region.
FACT: Abstinence continues to be the method advocated as the only absolute protection
against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
FACT: Prior parental permission is required for students to participate in any class session on
human sexuality and sexually transmitted infections.
FACT: Parents may review instructional materials on human sexuality and STIs in advance
when considering whether to approve their child's participation in such instruction.
FACT: Alternative units are available if parents decide that they do not want their children to
participate in the classes:
* An alternative unit on "Abstinence Only;"
* An alternative unit on stress management and environmental health; or
* An independent study unit on a health education topic of the parent's choosing.
FACT: Changes to the health education curriculum in Grades 8 and 10 were made as a result
of a three-year study by a 27-member advisory committee.
FACT: The MCPS curriculum has addressed the subject of contraception since 1970 and the
use of condoms since 1984.
FACT: At least four school districts in the Washington metropolitan area already include a
condom use demonstration as part of their curriculum. (Howard, Prince George’s, District of
Columbia, and Baltimore City)
FACT: The MCPS-produced video, Protect Yourself, reinforces abstinence and demonstrates
condom use as a response to calls by public health officials to stem the rise in STIs.
FACT: At least five school districts in the Washington metropolitan areas already include
instruction about sexual orientation in their curriculum. (Howard, Prince George’s, Fairfax,
District of Columbia, and Baltimore City)
FACT: The MCPS curriculum regarding sexual variation includes terms and definitions, and
provides information to dispel stereotypes that encourage acts of bullying, hate and violence.
Montgomery County Public Schools
Background About the Health Education Curriculum
Action taken by the Board of Education on November 9, 2004 will result in the following:
1.
The MCPS produced video, Protect Yourself, has been approved for systemwide use
in all high school health education classes starting in spring 2005. In response to a
significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers and calls by
public health officials for instruction about condoms, this video was produced to
provide a demonstration of proper condom use for the purpose disease prevention.
The video supplements high school instruction on contraception that has been in place
since 1970. It was field-tested in three high schools during spring 2004 and was well
received by students and teachers. Teachers must complete mandatory training on how
to use the video with students prior to using it in the classroom. (NOTE: Contrary to
some reports in the news media, no video discussing flavored condoms will be used in
Montgomery County Public Schools.)
2.
The revisions to the Grade 8 and Grade 10 health education curriculum to include
information about sexual variations will be field-tested in three middle schools (Grade
8 only) and three high schools during spring 2005. The revised curriculum defines
terms such as gender identity, gender role, and sexual orientation and focuses on
dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions in an effort to diminish
discrimination based on sexual orientation. Only the six schools participating in the
field-test will have teachers trained on the use of the curriculum prior to providing the
instruction on sexual variation that was approved by the Board of Education. The new
curriculum revisions will be evaluated by parents, teachers, and students in the six
schools participating in the field-test. Parents of students enrolled in Health Education
in those six schools will be given an opportunity to review the curriculum prior to
making the decision of signing the parental permission form. The evaluation results of
the field-test will be submitted to the Advisory Committee in June 2005, and then the
Committee will decide what further action they will recommend to the Board.
Instruction in family life and human sexuality is required under state law for Maryland
public schools, with the specific curricular content under the discretion of local boards
of education. The changes to the curriculum approved by the Board on November 9
were recommended as a result of a three-year study by the advisory committee and
school system staff. The study found that the health education program lacked
information taught in other school systems and hindered the ability of teachers to
address questions brought by students and parents concerning sexual variations and
disease prevention.
The Board of Education and the Montgomery County Public Schools are committed to
supporting active parental involvement and a responsible instructional program.