Utah Education Board OKs Rule Guiding Districts on Puberty Education

Utah education officials have granted initial endorsement of a regulation that could become the state’s first to standardize puberty instruction for fifth- and sixth-graders.

Although schools generally teach fifth- and sixth-graders about maturation, State Associate Superintendent Brenda Hales said some have complained that a few schools cross the line from maturation instruction to sex education. The regulation would delineate maturation instruction and resources as “instruction and materials used to provide fifth-or sixth-grade students with age-appropriate, accurate information regarding the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty, to assist in protecting students from abuse and to promote hygiene and good-health practices.”

In addition, Hales said the rule calls for opt-in approval from parents and the evaluation and authorization of all lecturers, visiting speakers and materials by local curriculum committees.

“This just puts in a safety line for everyone and puts responsibility on local boards for ensuring they know what’s going on in schools, in terms of maturation,” said Hales. “When you start hearing about more than one [school crossing the line], you go, ‘OK, we need to help.’”

Officials have indicated they will defer clarification on what is deemed “age appropriate” to school districts. State board member Craig Coleman urged parents to share their concerns with their local school boards.

“It gives everybody a chance, no matter what view they hold ... to take it to their elected officials and have them make that decision,” said Hales. “This is such a sensitive decision that it needs to be made by folks on a local level based on what they want.”

Prior to the ruling being ratified, the state board must vote again next month.

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