At the October Board of Education revisions to the Family Life and Human Development policy were introduced for a first reading. The revisions, including renaming the policy Comprehensive Health Education, will be brought back before the Board at its regular meeting on November 7 for a second reading and potential enactment.
The draft policy is available online at this link: Comprehensive Health Education Policy. The public is invited to share feedback with the Board by emailing comments to PIO@ccpsstaff.org. Comments will be accepted up until the close of business on October 31, 2023.
According to Board policy, new policies are reviewed by the Board at least two meetings prior to their adoption. Revised policies may be adopted after review at one meeting. The exception is a new policy that is required by the Maryland State Department of Education, which may be adopted with one reading by the Board.
Further information on the policy revision:
Why is this policy being revised?
Our current policy was approved by the Board of Education in 1990 and has not been reviewed or revised since that time. CCPS recently implemented a procedure that requires that all policies are reviewed and considered for revision at least once every four years.
What does this revised policy say?
The revised policy has three main parts:
- That all students will have the opportunity to access a Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Program, as required by Maryland Law (COMAR 13A.04.18.01).
- That the standards for this Instructional Program will be aligned with the MSDE Health Framework, as required by law (COMAR 13A.04.18.01).
- That CCPS recognizes and supports various family values and the rights of parents, and will notify parents prior to instruction in Family Life and Human Development and will provide parents with the opportunity to opt their children out of instruction in this unit.
What is included in the Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Program?
Like all curricula, CCPS is able to design an instructional program that meets the standards required by law but also meets the needs of CCPS students. Additional information on this process, as well as the entire Elementary School Health Pacing Guide can be found on the CCPS Health Education website.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Program?
Please direct questions to Ms. Amy O. Towers, Supervisor of Instruction for Science, Health, PE, and Environmental Literacy. Ms. Towers can be reached via e-mail at towers.amy@ccpsstaff.org.