Dear Acting Commissioner Allen-McMillan,

I write to you today to request the New Jersey Department of Education revisit the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards and form a working group of parents and educators to counter the misinformation that has spread regarding this curriculum. The working group should be composed of both educators and parents of K-12 students in order to reach a greater understanding of the State’s education goals and achieve better policy outcomes.

My office has been contacted by many constituents concerned about the social and sexual health curriculum that may be taught in schools. Parents have contacted my office asserting that their children are too young to be learning about topics concerning sexual activity and reproductive health. Some believe schools are encouraging students to question their gender identity or promoting the sexualization of young children. While these claims are often fueled by misinformation, I believe parents should be better included in determining the appropriate curriculum to reach the State’s desired goals of diversity and inclusion.

I ask that the curriculum not be implemented for the 2022-2023 school year as planned, until greater discussion of the curriculum has taken place. As we emerge from the pandemic and return to normalcy, we should be providing schools with a chance to bring students up to speed on their core curriculum rather than rushing the implementation of a policy that is unclear and against the wishes of many New Jersey parents.

To provide clarity to the social and sexual health guidelines a working group of parents and educators should meet to create an understanding of what the state standards require. Additionally, the working group should strive to create a consensus view as to what parents believe should be included in the curriculum and the best way forward for improving diversity and inclusivity in public school education.

Furthermore, the State has adopted Transgender Student Guidance that is unclear and should be revisited. The guidance seemingly permits any student, of any age or circumstances, to appear before the school office and immediately change their name and gender expression. The policy appears to allow countless name changes without requiring parents to be informed of such an important change. This policy may place school administrators in the uncomfortable position of hiding information from parents in order to comply. The Department of Education should revisit this policy in a further effort to ensure that parents are included in the decision-making process regarding the instruction and development of their children.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Moriarty
Assemblyman, Fourth District