Expanded Sex Education Recommended In Schools

The Ann Arbor Board of Education heard a recommendation Wednesday afternoon that the Sex Education and Family Living curriculum- introdueed last winter on a pilot basis in three grades of five elementary schools - be incorporated into the "regular school programs in grades kindergarten through six as rapidly as funds and personal limitations allow." The recomme n d a t i o n was made by the Staff and Citizens' Committees on Sex Education and Family Living of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. For the current 1968-69 school year, the committees recommended three steps: ( 1 ) Expand the sex education and family living program to five more elementary schools in grades kindergarten, one and five; (2) Develop pilot curriculum guides for grades two and six in the original five pilot schools; (3) Pursue study of the situation in junior and senior high schools in order to develop a "more thorough and coordinated program." The pilot sex education program was introduced in grades kindergarten, one and five last February, Maren or April at Bader, Dicken, Haisley, Lakewood and Lawton Elementary Schools. William Nimroth, social studies coördinator for the public schools, told the trustees a "very favorable response" from parents, students and staff was given to the pilot program. The ratio of persons strongly in support of the program was over 10-to-l, he said. Trustee Hazen J. Schumacher Jr. said he believes the sex education and family living programs should eventually be incorporated into the curriculum in grades kindergarten through 12. A specific recommendation from Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. on the program is forthcoming. The Board of Education will then take action on the future of the sex education program.