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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah representative is exploring the idea of changing the way schools teach sex education.
Instead of in the classroom, he's looking at how students might learn online.
Rep. Justin Fawson, R-North Ogden, suggested an online program that parents could opt their children in or out of. The main module, he said, would cover the basics of reproductive health. If parents wanted their kids to learn about other topics, they could choose to include other online modules.
Fawson spoke with the Utah State Board of Education Standards and Assessment Committee earlier this month about how that change could look.
"I tend to feel that we should educate our kids to a point where they can make good decisions, but I also respect parental involvement and parental opt-in," Fawson said.
One issue that could fall under an opt-in model, he said, is making sure kids understand contraception.
"We have kids who think Dr. Pepper is a contraceptive. I'm not kidding either," he said.
Although state law prohibits educators from endorsing contraception, Fawson said one of the opt-in modules could cover contraceptive methods.
"I think we need to sterilize the curriculum to the point where we're presenting facts and we're telling these kids, 'Look, if you think Dr. Pepper is a contraceptive, you have about 100 percent chance of getting pregnant,'" he said.
Fawson and some of the board members also talked about legal risks schools could face over reproductive education.
"When we start talking about sexuality, emotions and feelings and attractions, that's where the problems, that's where the conflicts and legal challenges happen," he said.
Several organizations provided input on the online idea, Fawson said, including the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Utah Eagle Forum, Pro-Life Utah and Equality Utah.
"All students, both straight and gay, need age-appropriate, scientifically accurate information about sex. All teens need information to make healthy and smart choices in their lives," executive director of Equality Utah Troy Williams said in a statement to KSL.com. "Utah shouldn't be afraid of providing teachers and parents more resources to help toward that end. We will continue to work with Rep. Fawson to encourage that outcome."
Marina Lowe, legislative and policy counsel for the ACLU of Utah, also released a statement about the proposal.
“For many reasons, some students can’t get the right information in their homes," Lowe said. "This is about education, and we need to make sure that our young people learn about reproduction and sexuality in a setting where they can get accurate answers to their questions in order to make the right decisions in their lives.”
Contributing: Tracie Snowder
