May 21, 2012
Health and Wellness Presentations by Outside Organizations
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Knox Co. Schools Superintendent Dr. James P. McIntyre, Jr. says he plans on exploring whether Knox Co. Schools staff and Health Dept. personnel should take over the entire human sexuality components of the state-mandated health and wellness curriculum.
In a memo to Board of Education Chair and Members Friday, the superintendent pointed out that in many cases using outside organizations adds to the students' educational experience. But, the sensitive nature of the material along with the fact the curriculum is tightly constrained limits the benefit of using an outside group.
McIntyre described Planned Parenthood's presentation as "generally... appropriate and tightly aligned with specific academic standards required to be taught within the Tennessee curriculum."
He said the material was mostly presented using "appropriate anatomical terminology" and presented in a "straightforward and factual manner." McIntyre did point out that slang terms were used on one or two occasions, which he called "problematic."
On at least one occasion, McIntyre said, an instructor put Planned Parenthood's website (here)address on the classroom whiteboard. According to the superintendent, some of the material on the website lay outside of the approved Tennessee Family Life Curriculum, though he did note none of the web material was accessed in class.
