From: Bryan J. Blumberg <bjb@macsch.com>
Subject: Re: Queer Curriculm WIN in California
X-Xxdate: Sat, 12 Dec 92 14:31:13 GMT
Organization: Systems Integration Branch
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d13
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 92 22:40:02 GMT

In article <h+h2cd@rpi.edu> Ron Buckmire, buckmr@vccnw06.its.rpi.edu 
writes:

>       (SACRAMENTO)- California students may soon be learning about
>homsexuality in their public classrooms. The state Board of Education
>has unanimously approved new health curriculum guidelines that include
>references to homosexual issues. The guidelines call for ``factual''
>discussion of homosexuality. Homosexual groups hailed the move as a
>victory. Some conservative groups also supported the guidelines because
>they promote sexual abstinence. Teachers are expected to immediately
>begin using the guidelines to plan their lessons.

I wish to add the following article from the

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Saturday, December 12, 1992, Part I, Page A31

TEXTBOOK GUIDELINES THAT INCLUDE GAYS OKD

*EDUCATION:  Board approves framework that includes a discussion of 
alternative lifestyles while stressing sexual abstinence for teen-agers.

====== From Associated Press ======

     SACRAMENTO--The state Board of Education on Friday approved 
textbook guidelines that include a discussion of homosexuality and 
alternative lifestyles, while stressing sexual abstinence for teen-
agers.

     The board unanimously approved the Comprehensive Health Framework, 
which serves as a guide for California
improve health education, make students and teachers more sensitive to 
health issues, and encourage youngsters to make healthy decisions 
regarding their lives.  It includes suggestions on counseling, drug 
abuse and family stress.

     The 114-page report, the result of two years of study, is a 
"leadership document" that advises districts.  They decide whether to 
adopt the proposals, said Glen Thomas, a health curriculum expert with 
the state Department of Education.

     "The point is to make schools safer and healthier places," he said.  
"The framework includes various strands of traditional health 
instruction--such as physical education, health services, nutrition, 
counseling, parent and community organizations, staff health promotion 
and staff wellness."

     It also serves as a guide for textbook publishers targeting the 
lucrative California market.

     "It's a terrific victory," said Jessea Greenman of the Gay and 
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.  "It's a great step forward.  They 
adopted a framework that includes specific mention of lesbian and gay 
students and specifies that we are part of the community to be served.  
It breaks the conspiracy of silence."

     The framework generated controversy this year when critics, 
including some religious groups, contended that it suggested that 
homosexuality was acceptable.  But the language in the document was 
reworked in October and the final form appeared to stir little 
controversy.

     "We are quite pleased with the abstinence emphasis and the pro-
family position that this framework includes," said the Rev. Louis P. 
Sheldon, head of the Traditional Values Coalition.


========================================
Bryan  J. Blumberg, The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation
815 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, California  90041-1777
(213) 259-4914, B_BLUMBERG@MACSCH.COM
Newsgroups: soc.motss