Fayette County defends sex education curriculum goals

Fayette County’s public school system is defending potential changes related to new health curriculum materials for middle and high schools that may provide more comprehensive information about sex education.

The county currently has a 13-member committee evaluating new textbooks for physical and health education classes, including content that goes beyond the system’s previous use of materials that focus primarily on abstinence. After criticisms were posted online by a pastor on the committee, the county issued a statement on Jan. 24 saying that although Fayette classes will continue to emphasize abstinence and the role of parents in guiding their children, “students who do decide to become sexually active now or in the future need information about how to prevent unwanted pregnancies and diseases.”

The committee is still evaluating materials and will not recommend specific textbooks until March, when the books will be presented for public review.