Sex-Ed Materials, Digital Seminar Course Approved by Grosse Pointe Public School Board

The Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board of Education approved two agenda items this week related to curriculum for students. 

The board unanimously approved materials to be used for human sexuality education in the high school health classes. The district's Human Sexuality Advisory Board asked for the materials approval following one of the group's few meetings in the year.

Board member Tom Jakubiec, who voted to approve the materials following discussion, said he wished the legal portion of the videos could be incorporated into every part of the curriculum to ensure students understand the law and teen sex.

Board member Dan Roeske countered Jackubiec, however, stating that by interjecting the legal portion into every part of the curriculum, it would take away from each individual lesson. He said he believes the materials were done well and will work well in the classroom.

Additionally, the board unanimously approved the re-introduction of a pilot class at North High School called the digital seminar course. The class began as a pilot in the 2008/09 school year but was not offered during the 2012/13 school year. The course is an "information literacy" class that incorporates the use of the district's technology.

During a review of the district's curriculum by the 21st Century High School Review Team, the elimination of the pilot course was noticed. Several administrators requested to bring the course back with the agreement that it's success would be measured and tracked over time.