Schools gearing up for comprehensive sex education

Schools around the state are peppering the Department of Public Instruction with questions about a new law regarding comprehensive sex education. The law went into effect in February, but many schools are making changes now for the upcoming school year.

Under the new law, schools can choose between teaching comprehensive sex education, or not at all. Parents uncomfortable with children learning about contraception can opt out.

That’s not good enough for Karen Cournaya, a mother who’s circulating a petition to stop curriculum changes in Merrill Area Public Schools. She not only asks why she has to opt out, but why Wisconsin “passed a law that states abstinence only is illegal?”

The Merrill district still will continue to teach abstinence, says assistant superintendant Carole Witt Starck. She stresses the human development and growth classes are more than just about avoiding pregnancy and disease.

Starck says the class also deals with “building healthy mental, emotional and physical relationships,” which is what the school district wants to focus on.

The law maintains local control of school districts, with guidance from the state and school boards on providing medically accurate information that’s age appropriate.

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