Talking Points
These talking points were composed to help explain our opposition to the proposed LGBT curriculum in AUSD. Please feel free to use them when you write the Board and stand with us, as we together request equality for all children in Alameda Unified.
· Schools should be safe for all children, including those with traditional views on sexuality, families, and marriage.
· There is an important difference between correcting bad behavior, such as bullying, and telling students that only one belief system about LGBT issues is accepted in school.
· California law guarantees equal protections to every LGBT student, every religious student, and so forth. Yet this curriculum focuses on two protected subgroups (sexual orientation and gender identity) -- and it entirely excludes protections for religious children who disagree.
· The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (AB 537) added sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected characteristics in public education. Alameda Unified also has policies that explicitly prohibit harassment against LGBT students.
· AB 537 specifically says that “nothing” in this act “requires the inclusion of any curriculum, textbook, presentation, or other material in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution.”
· Alameda Unified needs to enforce the clear legal protections against harassment, which are found in state law and district policies. If enforcing the law requires additional training for teachers, the district should train them.
· The proposed LGBT curriculum is not necessary or mandated by the California Department of Education. None of the books in the proposed lesson plans is found in the state-approved California Reading Lists for kindergarten through fifth grade students.
· The proposed second grade textbook, And Tango Makes Three, was the most challenged book in 2008, 2007, and 2006, according to the American Library Association. Why is Alameda trying to mandate this book for all second grade children in the district?
· The LGBT curriculum teaches only one view -- complete agreement -- on controversial sexual issues. These are issues that most elementary aged children are not ready to deal with. Nor should they be forced to deal with them, especially without parental involvement.
· The district would refuse to respect the rights of parents, if the curriculum is passed, by not offering an opt-out. Schools do not own young children; parents have final responsibility and care for them. Parental decision making should be respected in Alameda classrooms.
· There is an important difference between correcting bad behavior, such as bullying, and telling students that only one belief system about LGBT issues is accepted in school.
· California law guarantees equal protections to every LGBT student, every religious student, and so forth. Yet this curriculum focuses on two protected subgroups (sexual orientation and gender identity) -- and it entirely excludes protections for religious children who disagree.
· The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 (AB 537) added sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected characteristics in public education. Alameda Unified also has policies that explicitly prohibit harassment against LGBT students.
· AB 537 specifically says that “nothing” in this act “requires the inclusion of any curriculum, textbook, presentation, or other material in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution.”
· Alameda Unified needs to enforce the clear legal protections against harassment, which are found in state law and district policies. If enforcing the law requires additional training for teachers, the district should train them.
· The proposed LGBT curriculum is not necessary or mandated by the California Department of Education. None of the books in the proposed lesson plans is found in the state-approved California Reading Lists for kindergarten through fifth grade students.
· The proposed second grade textbook, And Tango Makes Three, was the most challenged book in 2008, 2007, and 2006, according to the American Library Association. Why is Alameda trying to mandate this book for all second grade children in the district?
· The LGBT curriculum teaches only one view -- complete agreement -- on controversial sexual issues. These are issues that most elementary aged children are not ready to deal with. Nor should they be forced to deal with them, especially without parental involvement.
· The district would refuse to respect the rights of parents, if the curriculum is passed, by not offering an opt-out. Schools do not own young children; parents have final responsibility and care for them. Parental decision making should be respected in Alameda classrooms.