Senator Bucco: As parents react, more school districts will look to temper dubious sex education standards

NEW JERSEY – At least one public school district has already announced plans to proceed with caution with New Jersey’s controversial new sex education standards, and Senator Anthony M. Bucco said he expects more schools to resist changes that have sparked a firestorm across the state.

“The Murphy Administration hoped to slip these new standards under the door without public scrutiny, but that plan backfired,” said Bucco (R-25). “The indefensible revisions go too far, following a progressive agenda that has been simmering not only in this state but across the nation.

“Parents have made it clear that they will not accept the State’s heavy-handed directives, and they are demanding to be heard,” Bucco continued. “Things are happening too fast, and they want to pump the brakes. Parents have a right to be informed of the curriculum and make decisions that are in the best interests of their children.”

A report published by NJ.com today revealed that the East Hanover School District in Morris County will not change lesson plans to incorporate the new standards and will instead work a less intrusive standard into a single day on the final school day of the year in June 2023.

“This is only the start. It is a responsible reaction, and more districts are likely to follow suit,” Bucco said. “We can expect to see more and more superintendents pushing back and trying to mitigate the impact on local students and families.

“This is an important issue, and the lead educators in our school systems are recognizing that these new standards have gone too far and that this subject is more appropriately dealt with between parents and child at home,” Bucco said.

The State Board adopted the new standards on June 3, 2020, and they are scheduled to take effect in September for next school year.

Bucco and Senator Kristin Corrado sponsor a measure establishing a Parents Bill of Rights, initially introduced in December 2021 as S-4234 and will be reintroduced for this session when the Senate reconvenes on May 9.

“We would ensure the roles of parents in education are not infringed upon by State mandates motivated by politics or ideology,” said Bucco. “All students benefit from the influence of their parents in the education process, especially when the curriculum involves sexuality and morality.”