Proposed Changes to Sex Ed in Nebraska

Sex Education Program Would Teaching Kindergartners About Gender Identity and Sexuality

Nebraska Governor, Pete Ricketts, has voiced his concern regarding changes proposed to sex education programs in the state, specifically the “human growth and development” section, which would begin teaching students as young as kindergarten about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and gender stereotypes.

In a press announcement released in March, Governor Ricketts stated, “I am calling on the Nebraska Department of Education to scrap their proposed sex education topics that are included in their draft health standards. The new standards from the department would not only teach young children age-inappropriate content starting in kindergarten, but also inject non-scientific, political ideas into curriculum standards. The sex education standards represent a significant shift in approach to health education, and many of the new themes are sensitive topics that should be addressed by parents at home and not by schools.”

He also urges parents and concerned citizens to speak up, by emailing: [email protected].

Read the press release

Wednesday morning on Spirit Mornings, Bruce and Jen were joined by Jeremy Eckeler of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, speaking in depth as to why the voice of Nebraska Christians needs to be heard to oppose these proposed changes. We’ll share the audio of his interview here later today.

We’ve gathered the proposed changes below, categorized by grade.

• KINDERGARTEN:
  • HE 7.1: Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. HE.K.7.1.a: State medically accurate names for body parts including genitalia.
  • HE 7.2:  Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships. HE.K.7.2.a: Discuss different kinds of family structures. (e.g. single parent, blended, inter-generational, co-habitating, adoptive, foster, same-gender, interracial).
• 1^st Grade:
  • HE 7.1: HE.1.7.1. Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health.
  • HE 7.2: HE.1.7.2.d: Define gender, gender identity, and gender-role stereotypes.
• 2^nd Grade:
  • Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. HE.2.7.1.a: Recognize genitalia differences. HE.2.7.2. Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships.
• 3^rd Grade:
  • Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. HE.3.7.1.a: Describe the functions of basic reproductive body parts. HE.3.7.1.b: Explain reproduction and why all living things may have the capacity to reproduce. Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships. HE.3.7.2.a: Demonstrate ways to promote dignity and respect for people of all genders, gender expressions, and gender identities, including other students, their family members, and members of the school community. HE.3.7.2.b: Describe the characteristics of healthy relationships. Updated: 2/20/2021 – 22 – HE.3.7.2.c: Discuss the range of ways people express their gender and how gender-role stereotypes may influence behavior. HE.3.7.2.d: Explain the relationship between consent, personal boundaries, and bodily autonomy. HE.3.7.2.e: Define sexual orientation.
• 4^th Grade:
  • HE.4.7.1. Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. HE.4.7.1.a: Define Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HE.4.7.1.b: Explain that it is safe to be a friend of someone who is living with HIV or AIDS. HE.4.7.1.c: Define the process of human reproduction. HE.4.7.1.d: Describe how puberty prepares human bodies for the potential to reproduce and that some healthy people have conditions that impact the ability to reproduce. HE.4.7.2. Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships. HE.4.7.2.a: Demonstrate refusal skills to protect personal boundaries and avoid or reduce health risks. HE.4.7.2.b: Compare positive and negative ways friends, peers and media can influence relationships. HE.4.7.2.c: Describe gender-role stereotypes and their potential impact on oneself and others. HE.4.7.2.d: Differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity. HE.4.7.2.e: Demonstrate the use of healthy and respectful words and actions to express friendship, attraction, and affection. HE.4.7.2.f: Distinguish between sex assigned at birth and gender identity and explain how they may or may not differ.
• 5^th Grade:
  • HE.5.7.1. Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. sexual orientations, including other students, their family members, and members of the school community. HE.5.7.2.f: Explain that gender expression and gender identity exist along a spectrum. HE.5.7.2.g: Define sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and domestic/dating violence and explain why they are harmful and their potential impacts. HE.5.7.3.e: Explain the significance of the physical changes in puberty and the potential role of hormone blockers on young people who identify as transgender
• 6^th Grade:
  • Students will learn the fundamental components of Sexual Health. HE.6.7.1.a: Infer that people/families have different cultural beliefs when it comes to sexual health (e.g. abstinence, birth control, gender roles). HE.6.7.2. Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexualityand healthy relationships. HE.6.7.2.a: Review the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty and adolescence and ways to manage these changes. HE.6.7.2.b: Define and explain differences between cisgender, transgender, gender non-binary, gender expansive, and gender identity. HE.6.7.2.c: Define sexual identity and explain a range of identities related to sexual orientation (e.g. heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, queer, two- spirit, asexual, pan-sexual). HE.6.7.2.f: Discuss the ways people express their gender and how gender-role stereotypes may limit behavior.
• 7^th Grade:
  • HE.7.4.1.b: Identify blood borne pathogens, such as those causing HIV and Hepatitis B and C, and methods to prevent disease transmission. HE.7.7.1.e: Define vaginal, oral and anal sex and their relationship to STD/HIV transmission. HE.7.7.2. Students will learn characteristics relating to identity, sexuality and healthy relationships.
• 8^th Grade:
  • HE.8.7.2.e: Analyze how peers, family, and a person’s intersecting identities can influence attitudes, beliefs, and expectations about gender, gender identity, gender roles, and gender expression.HE.8.7.2.c: Access medically accurate information about gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression. HE.8.7.3.a: Assess the role hormones play in the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional changes during adolescence, including among people who are intersex and transgender.

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES