VIDEO: DCPS, Metro TeenAIDS respond to Hardy Middle School "sex test" uproar as Rhee resigns
Photo by D.C. Watch
Michelle Rhee
As WJLA, NBC4 and FOX5 covered the "sex test" controversy at Hardy Middle School first reported in The Georgetown Dish, DCPS issued a statement to Hardy parents and The Washington Post and other media reported that Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee will resign today. The DCPS statement defended the sex education program at Hardy, but not the failure to get informed consent from parents for their children's participation in both the test and the program. "Both the 'Making Proud Choices!' and DCPS health curriculum of which it is a part are in-line with the DC Health Learning Standards as well as the National Health Education Standards," the DCPS statement said.
The DCPS statement argued about the definition of a "test", stating that the sex "'pre-test' Hardy students were given was not a test at all, but an assessment used to determine the students’ baseline knowledge and to responsibly assure that students get all of the information and skills they need to protect themselves," said DCPS. The statement did not explain the thinking behind a "pre-test" administered to 12-year-olds referred to sexual organs and activities, so-called "dental dams," drug use during sex, and transgenderism.
"Unfortunately," DCPS said, "the opt-out letter to parents regarding this unit in the health class went home on the same day that the assessment was administered. As a result, there was not enough time to allow for parental response before the unit began."
The statement said parents will have a second opportunity to "opt-out" of the program. But some say parental permission should be required for students to "opt-in" to the headline-generating class.
"We strongly believe that parents have a role to play in providing HIV/AIDS and reproductive health education, and we regret that our oversight resulted in affecting our parents’ right to choose how their students receive this information," DCPS said.
DCPS will host a meeting at Hardy Friday, Oct. 15th with Diana Bruce, director of health and wellness for DCPS, "on human sexuality as part of the health curriculum."
FOX 5's Shawn Yancy interviewed the executive director of Metro TeenAIDS Adam Tenner about the controversial sex survey administered at Hardy.
5 Comments For This Article
what's up with the obnoxious puritanism of the critics?
There seems to be no recognition of the egregious invasion of privacy perpetrated on these children by the public school system. This questionaire took time, money and staff to draw up. It's important to find out all of this. Just the resignation of Miss Rhee will not be enough.
This is "reporting"? The "reporter" only offered the most mild examples of the questions on this questionnaire.
I don't think it's particularly puritanical to not think it's appropriate to be asking 12 year olds what their gender is...and then offer four choices. "What's the last time you had anal sex?" isn't just about gathering information...it is telling kids straight up that in 7th grade they should have already had anal sex.
The school district conveniently "forgot" to send the opt-out letter, too.
It doesn't seem to me that you read her story very well, as she indeed did show all the questions on the first page and you are not understanding the controversy, but rather being critical of the reporter? Why do you find it necessary to be critical of the reporting, rather than the question of administering the test to these students.
I thought is was an excellent report and consistent with this reporters high quality of work.
I agree with you about the reporter (doing their job) though you sound a little bias? The point is the protection of children. I am a parent of 3 children and know that each child is completely different from the other. One child could be open minded (or gullible) enough to be able to decide to complete the test, while another still clingi
ng to his/her innocence will feel invaded, demoralized and intruded upon. Those options shouldnt be forced on to them, and any parent has a right to feel outraged.