PTA, lawmakers tackling sex ed

The state PTA and some lawmakers agree sex education is not always taught correctly in Utah's schools — but both groups offer different solutions.

The PTA, which supports the current sex ed curriculum in the schools, wants to train and encourage parents to talk with their children at home about reproduction issues. The PTA also wants a state-created video to be shown in schools and available to parents.

"We've got to be honest with kids. They are playing with fire," said Mary Ann Kirk, sex education specialist for the State PTA Health Commission.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers are pushing for a two-track sex ed curriculum in the schools, with one class being more restrictive on subjects while the other is rather open.

"Kids who are sexually active are going to be sexually active. And they really need to know how to protect themselves," said Rep. Lynn Hemingway, D-Salt Lake.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert hasn't officially endorsed either idea, but he said in a recent press conference he feels parents need to teach their kids about sex, "and we have to hold their feet to the fire." He added, however, if parents feel the schools need to help in the task, the education should be available, with parental consent.

Sex education is taught in Utah and emphasizes abstinence. The State Office of Education rule, in accordance with Utah law, says educators may instruct on contraception options with prior parental consent.

Some teens, education officials and lawmakers say students are not getting adequate sex education in Utah because teachers are afraid of being accused of advocating sex. They contend educators are therefore erring on the side of caution by eliminating important information.

"Educators are afraid to step over the line. They have to be so careful about what they say — so they don't say anything," Hemingway said. "It's a fear factor."

State PTA leaders trained 18 local PTA leaders Wednesday on "Parents Speak Up," a program that was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help parents talk to their kids about sex. The seminar includes a free "Ready to Talk" kit.

The goal of the event was for the local PTA leaders to take the information back to their districts and schools to help parents. PTA mom Terry Palmer of Holladay, with the Cottonwood High School PTA, said, "It should start with parents, but it's just not getting done. If this program would help, I'd really like to be a part of it."

PTA leaders also would like to see a video created, then distributed to be shown in the schools. Parents could screen the video or obtain a copy to show at home. "That way people wouldn't be going into too much detail and not too little," Kirk said.