Many opponents, who were overwhelmingly adults and most of whom were parents, healthcare professionals or religious leaders, claimed the new curriculum is strongly influenced by Planned Parenthood because they think it draws on lesson plans that are associated with the organization.

The Parkway curriculum includes no discussion of abortion, and Assistant Superintendent Lisa Merideth said the curriculum drew mainly on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for sexual education.

Opponents also argued that even though the curriculum emphasizes abstinence, they think that message is diluted by teaching extensively about contraceptives, which makes it seem that teenage sexual activity is normal and acceptable. They said they didn’t think students so young would know better to choose abstinence over contraceptives under the Parkway curriculum.

“Middle schoolers don’t know best. Their brains are still developing,” said Rob Hicks, one of several doctors who spoke against the curriculum.

The previous curriculum included lessons on contraceptives, sexual activity and sexually transmitted infections.