Sixth of Barnegat students opted out of sex ed by parents following 'outlandish' pushback

BARNEGAT - One out of six students in the district have opted out of the new state-mandated sex education curriculum, according to officials who blame the higher rate on misinformation in the community and on social media.

“Sources of information are very far outside the realm of what is accurate and what was going to transpire,” Jim Barbieri, Barnegat Schools director of curriculum and instruction, said about parental concerns voiced at a recent parents meeting. “They were so outlandish. I think the information that they were receiving from whatever source is so tilted and inaccurate compared to what we are going to do.”

Barnegat Superintendent Brian Latwis revealed that 16.9% of students in the K-12 district had been opted out of the new required lessons by their parents, which state officials instituted to begin this fall.

That’s far higher than most Shore districts that are reporting only a handful of students or none at all choosing to avoid the new expanded lessons.

More:New Jersey's new sex education curriculum draws criticism from some parents. Here's what's in it.

“I think we have made it a conversation, and people have been more engaged in it,” Latwis said. “The general consensus we are getting is that they might want to sit out a year and see how it happens, see if the boogie man comes out.”

While many districts across New Jersey, including Jackson, outwardly opposed the new standards, very few districts have reported any controversy as they went into effect this year.

There are exceptions. In Wayne, more than 400 students were opted out of their district's sex education lessons by their parents.

The curriculum also has become a major issue in a very contentious board of education campaign, which has pitted two incumbents against eight challengers, including several who oppose the lessons.

“Misinformation is a good word for it,” incumbent candidate Sean O’Brien said about the falsehoods being circulated. “The misinformation means organizations on either side of the spectrum are saying what they believe can be taught, certainly not what we are teaching.”

The issue arose at a recent candidates’ forum, where several challengers offered their opposition.

“I don’t love it, I don’t like it at all,” said candidate Scott Sherman, a father of a first and fourth grader. “I think it should be taught in the homes, and I think it should be taught by the parents. There has to be some sort of compromise.”

Fellow challenger Dave Sherman agreed: “Sex education and all that stuff should be taught at home. I believe that 100%.”

Rumors and falsehoods have affected other districts as well, educators said.

“Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation out there from various groups that are confusing what they are reading on unauthorized websites from what the real standards and subsequent curriculum include,” Neptune Superintendent Tami Crader said via email. “Neither the standards nor the curriculum are indoctrinating children into any way of life, any particular philosophy or politics, advocating sexual activity, or any value system other than safety and inclusivity.”

More:Middletown schools require 'opt-in' for new sex ed classes

Still, most other local districts, including Neptune, reported few, if any, parents removing children from the lessons, which begin as young as second grade. Some of the curriculum in older grades has sparked concern because it may involve issues such as masturbation, anal and oral sex, and use of abortion as a birth control option.

The majority of school officials in Monmouth and Ocean counties who spoke to the Asbury Park Press said they had found little opposition from parents and only a handful of opt-outs, which are allowed under the new curriculum mandate.

“The parents have been very good and mindful about going through the documents and identifying the areas they want them to opt out of,” said Christine Formica, director of operations, curriculum and instruction for Keansburg Schools. She reported only five out of 1,300 students opting out districtwide, noting all were in elementary school.

Ocean Township in Monmouth County revealed that 4% of students in the 3,200-student district have opted out, while Neptune, Asbury Park and Pinelands Regional schools reported no students avoiding the classes.

Freehold Regional High School District, Monmouth County’s largest with six high schools serving more than 10,000 students, does not track opt-outs, officials said.

Some districts, such as Jackson, Manchester and Hazlet, are still implementing the curriculum and have not reached the opt-out stage.

Each district is allowed to form its own curriculum with the state guidelines as a framework. Many have shaped the lessons as they choose, removing some graphic elements and allowing parents involvement on sensitive topics.

“We chose to put the standards that were in question in the oldest grades,” said Kelly Weldon, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in Ocean Township. “We did have a number of parents who were concerned. When we explained it to them they realized what it was, but some still chose to opt out. We feel we provide lessons that were appropriate.”

Lakewood and Middletown now require parents to sign a form allowing their children to take the classes, not just if they want to opt out, while elements of the curriculum in Toms River and Stafford may be taught at home with district-provided materials.

“Families in our community understand that we have to meet state curriculum standards and have expressed to us that they are pleased with our clear approach to communicating the curriculum with them as well as listening to their feedback and concerns,” said John Berenato, superintendent of Manchester Township Schools.

Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, said he has heard of few opt- outs among districts statewide.

But he stressed that some of the more controversial lessons are yet to come: “Keep an eye out that there might be more in the spring when some of those sex ed topics are addressed.”

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of three books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Barnegat NJ students opted out of sex education by parents