Parents have to understand that these standards are to be learned BEFORE the end of 8th grade, that means they can appear anywhere before that grade. If you are looking for all of the changes in standards, click here.
Everyone is very over-focused about what happens in the 2nd grade, however, the standards that are really inappropriate happen “by the 8th grade”. Which really means that your child can see this at any time in middle school. This one hit home for me because my son is in the 7th grade. I can tell you that most of the new standard and the associated lessons (being handed out to BOEs in the state of NJ) are inappropriate for his maturity level like 99% kids that age.
Ever since 2020 we homeschooled, and this year I thought it was appropriate for him to learn the HUMAN reproductive system with no discussion about the details of intercourse, so i sent him a video on the male and female reproductive system that he could watch by himself without being embarrassed. But the NEW standards are nothing that a child of 12/13 should have to experience in the classroom. These are things that shouldn’t be in middle school AT ALL. The school is there to teach your kid the science of human preproduction, NOT tips and tricks on how to get off and WHEN to decide to have sex. If you want your kid to discuss these things in a public forum like a classroom then knock yourself out, however none of this should be in group lessons without a permission slip to opt-in. I’ve compromised a short list of what I deem to be inappropriate for middle school.
Details on vaginal, anal or oral sex (2.1.8.PP.2, 2.1.8.SSH.9)
Abortion as an option without discussing the moral conflict(2.1.8.PP.1)
Child pornography and sex trafficking (2.1.8.CHSS.2)
How do decide to when to have sex/ give consent or perceive consent to sex (2.1.8.SSH.7, 2.1.8.SSH.8)
Explain the difference romantic relationships and fuck buddies (2.1.8.SSH.5)
How to use a condom and STIs/HIV prevention and treatment, and how to get tested for HIV (2.1.8.SSH.10, 2.1.8.SSH.11, 2.1.8.CHSS.3, 2.1.8.CHSS.5)
How to take care of a baby (2.1.8.PP.3, 2.1.8.PP.4, 2.1.8.PP.4)
Promote the dignity of the LGBT (2.1.8.SSH.2)
So after that list, what is left to learn in high school? I went to school in NJ and we learned about some of these things in high school, however, there is never a time I ever had a lesson on how to use a condom, or how do decide when to consent to sex, nor was I given this handy dandy decision tree chart in the 7th grade to help me decide if sex was for me.
The schools go even as far as discussing sexual consent law with 7th graders, which is all kinds of age inappropriate. When you read some of these lessons on STD’s It looks like it was developed for a senior in high school. Some of the lessons look like a sexual harassment lecture for corporate adults. And some of it looks like an advertisement for planned parenthood.
The standards and lessons even go into family planning, which is seriously outside the scope of what is to be learned in middle school.
The sex trafficking discussion with 7th graders is just over the top inappropriate. You throw all this info on them about vaginal, anal, oral sex, all kinds of STDs now you want them to burden them with human trafficking and child porn? Its all way to much for middle schoolers. This is all so age-inappropriate I can’t believe some parents are defending this. People promote it because it is entangled with the idea that discussing LGBT will discourage bullying. None of this could be farther from the truth. The way these schools promote LGBT is to erase the woman’s role in society. Somehow this has turned into a war against women.
These lessons that are shared here were developed by “advocates for Youth” which were hired by the state to come up with lessons to be used in the NJ classroom. These lessons unwittingly disparage women by calling us “a person with a uterus“ or a “person with a vulva.” I am so disgusted at this. They are trying to erase women and tell children that being female is more about the clothes you wear and less about your ability to have a baby. Its anti-science and anti-woman drivel that has no place in a K-12 classroom. It is coupled with the idea that women don’t really exist so we have to change everyone’s pronouns. It is catering to <1% who hate the use of Her/Him She/he.
I am literally sick to my stomach after reading the lessons that could be taught to kids in school, knowing that most parents have NO IDEA what is coming their way 22/23. Familiarize the standards below and ask your BOE how they will deliver this inappropriate material to your middle schooler.
Standards referenced below:
2.1.8.PP.1: Describe pregnancy testing, the signs of pregnancy, and pregnancy options, including parenting, abortion, and adoption.
2.1.8.PP.2: Summarize the stages of pregnancy from fertilization to birth.
2.1.8.PP.3: Identify prenatal practices that support a healthy pregnancy and identify where to find medically accurate sources of information about prenatal care.
2.1.8.PP.4: Predict challenges that may be faced by adolescent parents and their families.
2.1.8.PP.5: Identify resources to assist with parenting.
2.1.8.SSH.2: Develop a plan for the school to promote dignity and respect for people of all genders, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations in the school community.
2.1.8.SSH.4: Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
2.1.8.SSH.5: Analyze the similarities and differences between friendships, romantic relationships and sexual relationships.
2.1.8.SSH.7: Identify factors that are important in deciding whether and when to engage in sexual behaviors.
2.1.8.SSH.8: Identify factors that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity (e.g., body image, self-esteem, alcohol, other substances).
2.1.8.SSH.9: Define vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
2.1.8.SSH.10: Identify short and long-term contraception and safer sex methods that are effective and describe how to access and use them (e.g., abstinence, condom).
2.1.8.SSH.11: Develop a plan to eliminate or reduce risk of unintended pregnancy and STIs (including HIV).
2.1.8.CHSS.2: Describe the state and federal laws related to age of consent, minors’ ability to consent to health care, confidentiality in a healthcare setting, child pornography, sexting, safe haven and sex trafficking.
2.1.8.CHSS.3: Identify the state and federal laws related to minors' access to sexual healthcare services, including pregnancy and STIs/HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment.
2.1.8.CHSS.5: Identify medically accurate sources of information about STIs, including HIV, such as local STIs /HIV prevention, steps to obtain PrEP and PEP, testing, and treatment resources.
Yeah, there was stuff about dental dams, I didn't know what those were until I was in my mid-thirties. I heard about it from a discussion on AIDS
By the way, some districts already implemented this curriculum. Montclair bombarded my 9th grader during lockdown with countless videos about all of this without my knowledge. I only saw it this year and then reflected on strange behavior he was exhibiting. It's nothing short of child abuse. Of course some kids are unfortunately already involved in sex in high school, but I can tell you I tried to protect my children's innocence and shelter them and the school desensitized my kids in a couple months. Without my consent or knowledge.