Teaching the Facts?
The white paper written about the new curriculum in Dec 2004 by Dr. Warren Throckmorton begins by stating:
“Our purpose in reviewing the curriculum is essentially to evaluate the facts presented in the curriculum. Is the material presented factual? Are some claims made that are essentially opinions that are presented as fact? Are some claims more dogmatic than they should be? We hope to present an evaluation of these issues based upon our knowledge of the social science research and sound educational thinking.”
conclude:
“The curriculum could be more aptly titled: Presenting a Value Free, Essentialist perspective on Human Sexuality. The key word here is perspective. If this material were presented as part of a debate class, or even as an article in the school newspaper it would be understood that it was just one point of view. When the MCPS unwittingly uses a biased approach to teach children about sexual behavior, children assume that this is scientific and balanced. Restricting children’s information to a biased point of view interferes with their full knowledge of what options are available to them in setting their life goals and managing their personal behavior to reach those goals. This seems completely contrary to the mission of the Montgomery County Public Schools.”
This paper is worth reading and the CRC recommends it to those who want the facts about this curriculum.
We thank Dr. Throckmorton for taking the time to apply his expertise in evaluating the new curriculum and we, like he,
“suggest that the curriculum be returned to the CAC for further revision. The BOE should consider the possibility that researchers representing a diversity of opinions be called in to assist in making the curriculum better represent current thinking in sexuality. In this way, parents and the BOE can return focus to the important mission of providing