SPS makes wise choice

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

I would like to commend District 81 (Spokane Public Schools) for its decision to build its sex education program in house, lesson by lesson. Although the Planned Parenthood “Get Real” program favored by some meets state standards, it appears to me to be a one-size-fits-all approach to sex education.

One significant topic that it fails to address beyond mentioning it is abstinence. This may be the most valuable tool a young person can carry to withstand peer pressure to be more engaged. Many parents may be reluctant to surrender their responsibility for introducing this topic to their children to a third party. For this reason I believe that parents of students should have a big voice in any curriculum that teaches this delicate subject to their children.

Good luck to the school board, district leadership and staff in crafting this necessarily sensitive program.

Al Payne

Spokane

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