Hide Transcript Show Transcript

IMAGES. A GROWING STORM OF PROTEST OVER THESE SEX ED BOOKS, WITH DRAWINGS SO GRAPHIC WE CAN’T SHOW THEM TO YOU ON TV. >> WE TRY TO KEEP OUR KIDS OUT OF ADULT BOOK STORES. BUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS BRINGING ADULT BOOK STORES TO US. MIKE: A LONG LINE OF PARENTS PROTESTING THE BOOKS THAT ARE NOT MANDATORY BUT TO BE USED AS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS CURIOUSABOUT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR JUST WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SEXUAL ACTIVITIES. >> AND DIFFERENT SEXUAL AC THAT ARE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO THEM THAT ARE GOING TO PUT THEM IN PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HARM. MIKE: BUT THE BOOKS ALSO HAVE THEIR SUPPORTERS INCLUDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD. >> WE DON’T WANT STUDENTS AND CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY JUST MINDLESSLY SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO FIND. MIKE: THE BOOKS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE MEDICALLY ACCURATE AND PROVIDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR KIDS WHO ARE CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THEIR BODIES ARE CHANGING AS THEY REACH PUBERTY. ACCORDING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD. >> A LOT OF THESE MATERIALS THAT ARE BEING PRESENTED ARE BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS I DIFFERENT AGE LEVELS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH GRADE. THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE ASKING. MIKE: BUT THEN A SURPRISING DEVELOPMENT, AFTER PLENTY PARENTAL PUSH BACK, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOW URGING THE STATE BOARD TO PULL THE BOOKS FROM A RECOMMENDED LIST OF RESOURCES. THE CONCE

Advertisement California changes sex ed guidelines: What you need to know Share Shares Copy Link Copy

California has overhauled its sex education guidance for public school teachers, encouraging them to talk about gender identity with kindergartners and giving advice to help LGBT teenagers navigate relationships and practice safe sex.LGBT advocates praised the new recommendations for giving such attention to a community that often is left out of sex education policies. But some parents and conservative groups said the guidelines are an assault on parental rights, arguing those issues should be taught by parents in the home.The guidance approved Wednesday by the California State Board of Education does not require educators to teach anything. The more than 700-page document is designed as a guide for teachers to meet state standards on health education, such as nutrition, physical activity and combating alcohol and drug abuse.Much of the pushback focused not on the framework of the guide, but on the books it recommends students read. The new guidelines approved by the board don't include the controversial books.Here are 3 things to know about the guidelines:1) Which books were pulled from the resource list?Six books prompted a lot of protest. Hundreds of parents lined up in opposition outside the Department of Education building on N Street in Sacramento. Some of the parents said the books were sexually explicit. “This information is so graphic," said Greg Burt with of the California Family Council. "It’s as if they want kids earlier and earlier to start participating in sexual activities."An earlier draft of the document suggested high schoolers read the book: "S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties." It includes descriptions of anal sex, bondage and other sexual activity. The books on the list were:My Princess BoyWho are You? The Kids Guide to Gender IdentityChanging You! A Guide to Body Changes & SexualityWhat's Happening to My Body (for girls)What's Happening to My Body (for boys)S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties“There’s just a distraction,” said David Sapp, a deputy policy director for the State Board of Education. “The goal is that the curriculum framework be useful.”2) Who supported keeping the books on the list?Planned Parenthood enthusiastically supported the books as additional resource materials for students who needed them.“A lot of these materials that are being presented are based on feedback from students in different age levels, from kindergarten through 12th grade,” said Cheri Greven, with Planned Parenthood. Greven said the books answer questions the students are asking.“These are conversations these students are having," Greven said. "So do we meet them with no information at all -- or do we meet them where they are at and give them medically accurate information that they can make the healthy decisions for their own lives?” 3) How do parents feel about Wednesday's vote?Parents protesting the books feel that the vote is more of a relief than a celebration. “I wish it felt like we were winning,” said Kelly Schenkosy, a parent from Monterey County. “To me, it’s sad they made it (to the list) in the first place.”---The Associated Press contributed to this story