Presentation on the New Sex Education Curriculum in Ontario

1. THE NEW SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN ONTARIO
DSW 201: HUMAN SEXUALITY
PROFESSOR: BRANDI STEVENSON
BY: AMY MINCHELLA, TRACEY CALLE, FREDDY NOLET, TABITHA MARY, ASHLEY GOLENCH

2. PRESENTATION BREAKDOWN
1. 1. Introduction to Presentation Topic
2. Background
3. Changes in the Curriculum
4. Social Issues
5. Cultural Issues
6. Religious Issues
7. Consequences
2. 8. Class discussion – How Does it Affect Special Education Services?
9. Closing Comments/Thoughts

3. WHAT IS “SEX ED” CURRICULUM
“Sex education is a broad term
used to describe education about:
- human sexual anatomy
- sexual reproduction
- sexual intercourse
- other aspects of human sexual
behavior”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sex_education.htm
http://womenpla.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/sex-ed.jpg

4. SEXUAL HEALTH IN CANADA
- According to a 2010 survey of Canadian students, just over a quarter of male
students and just under a quarter of female students reported having had
sex by grade 9 or 10. Twenty-five percent of those who responded as having
had sex did not use a condom
- Research has shown that “well planned and implemented sexual health
education programs are effective in helping youth reduce the risk of STI/HIV
infection and unplanned pregnancy

5. SEX EDUCATION HISTORY
1998 Sex Ed Curriculum:
Lessons about puberty began in
Grade 5 (Leslie, 2015)
This curriculum was updated prior
to the use of social media,
smartphones, and the existence of
“sexting”
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ont-to-reintroduce-sex-ed-
curriculum-it-withdrew-in-2010-by-next-fall-1.2079374
2010 Sex Ed Curriculum:
Following protests by religious
leaders The Liberal government
withdrew this updated version of
the curriculum
When creating this curriculum
update Internet safety was a main
concern
But the word for “sexting” was not
yet established
2015 Sex Ed Curriculum:
Lessons about puberty begin in
Grade 4 (Leslie, 2015)
Beginning in Grade 4 students are
introduced to lessons about online
bullying and the danger of
posting/sharing sexual images
(Leslie, 2015)
In Grade 7 lessons become
specifically about the dangers of
“sexting” (Leslie, 2015)

7. CHANGES,
SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
“A lot of the things that have received a lot of attention over the last
few years, are things where it’s actually already in the curriculum”
(Cohn, 2015). It has only been dropped a grade level from where it
is introduced (Cohn, 2015).

8. SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
GRADE 1 - 8
Grade ONE:
Before (1998): identify the major parts of the body by
their proper names
Now (2015): Revised Ontario Curriculum requires
students in grade 1 to identify body parts including
genitalia (e.g. penis, testicles, vagina, vulva), using
correct terminology.
– continued in positive consequences
The notion of consent*
Comparison:
Manitoba requires students in
Kindergarten to identify body parts by
their appropriate name
(e.g. penis, vagina, breasts)
Grade TWO:
Now (2015): outline the basic stages of human
development (e.g., infant, child, adolescent, adult,
older adult) and related bodily changes, and identify
factors that are important for healthy growth and
living throughout life

9. SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
GRADE 1-8
Grade THREE
Before (1998): Distinguish the similarities and
differences between themselves and others (e.g.,
in terms of body size or gender)
Now (2015): Describe how visible differences and
invisible differences make each person unique,
and identify ways of showing respect for
differences in others
Comparisons:
- Alberta requires students in grade 3 to recognize
factors that influence unique body characteristics.
- British Columbia does not address this topic.
Grade FOUR
Now (2015): Describe the physical changes that
occur in males and females at puberty (e.g.,
growth of body hair, breast development, changes
in voice and body size, production of body odour)
and the emotional and social impacts that may
result from these changes
Comparison:
Alberta requires students in grade 4 to describe
physical, emotional and social changes that occur
during puberty.

10. SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
GRADE 1-8
Grade FIVE
Now (2015):
- Identify the parts of the reproductive system, and
describe how the body changes during puberty.
- Describe the processes of menstruation and
spermatogenesis, and explain how these processes
relate to reproduction and overall development
- Describe emotional and interpersonal stresses
related to puberty
Grade SIX
Now (2015):
Assess the effects of stereotypes, including
homophobia and assumptions regarding gender
roles and expectations, sexual orientation, race,
ethnicity or culture, mental health, and abilities, on
an individual's self-concept, social inclusion, and
relationships with others, and propose appropriate
ways of responding to and changing assumptions
and stereotypes.
Before (1998): NOT included in curriculum

11. SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
GRADE 1-8
Grade SEVEN
Now (2015):
- identify common sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), and describe their symptoms
- demonstrate an understanding of physical,
emotional, social, and psychological factors that
need to be considered when making decisions
related to sexual health
Grade EIGHT
Now (2015):
- identify and explain factors that can affect an
individual’s decisions about sexual activity
- demonstrate an understanding of gender identity,
gender expression, and sexual orientation and
identify factors that can help individuals of all
identities and orientations develop a positive self-
concept
Before (1998): NOT included in curriculum

12. SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM,
CHANGES
The Notion of Consent
One of the biggest changes in the curriculum is referred to as ‘the notion of consent’
This is a good example for addressing the widespread concern shown regarding ‘how the curriculum
plans to introduce topics in an age appropriate manor’
This topic is introduced as early as grades 1 and 2 and is not referring exclusively to ‘sexual consent’ but
in relation to consent in general (citation).
The ideas that are introduced in early grades revolve around that such as asking.
For example, the idea that “if someone is telling you or showing you they don’t want to be touched, you
should respect that” (citation).
As children age, the concept of consent in the context of sexuality is integrated slowly in higher grade
levels.
This is how the majority of “topics of concern” are integrated and introduced in the new curriculum,
although they are being introduced in earlier grade levels these topics are not beginning to directly
connect to the “sexual” education context until later grades; where they were originally introduced in the
1998 curriculum [but] coming out of nowhere in that later grade level instead.

14. SOCIAL ISSUES
Some parents believe the new curriculum
introduces sexual education material in
elementary grade levels too early for the age
groups of those students (sexual pictures,
sexting, sexually transmitted diseases, oral and
anal sex) - (Robert Benzie, 2015) – notion of
consent ex.
Some parents feel their concerns about the
new curriculum were ignored by the
government, although they were
acknowledged during the launch (Artuso,
2015)
Some people feel that the curriculum usurps
the role that should be played by the parents.
(Artuso, 2015) – video ex.

15. CULTURAL ISSUES
The “number one concern” that
has been identified by many of
those in opposition of the updated
2015 curriculum is the “teaching of
gender identity” (Leslie, 2015).
Some believe that gender identity
is not part of the reason we send
our children to school, and that
teaching children from a very
young age about 6-genders, that
it is reshaping and reforming the
way we think as a culture (Leslie,
2015).

16. RELIGIOUS ISSUES
Campaign Life Coalition believes that the 2015 curriculum update
goes against the Catholic systems’ value of life because it
“encourages the use of condoms and artificial birth control to
prevent pregnancy and STDs” (CLC, 2015)
The government plans to “implement teaching on birth control,
abortion, the idea that being male or female as a social construct”
(CLC, 2015) in Catholic schools by reformatting these teaching
even though then are not Catholic beliefs
“Ontario’s curriculum teaches gender identity 35 times from Grade
1 to 8, as ‘male, female, two-spirited, transgender, transsexual,
intersex.’” (Artuso, 2015) and according to Christian crusader
McVety,“parents do not want their children lead to question their
gender” (Artuso, 2015)
“the Education Act gives a parent of any religion or belief system
the right to withdraw their child from that particular lesson”
(Robert Benzie, 2015)

17. THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SEX
EDUCATION CURRICULUM
POSITIVE:
Beginning in Grade 1 students learn the proper names for body parts; being able to use
proper terminology to identify abuse is helps police investigations and make a witness more
reliable (Nyznik, 2015)
Overall, “the more information kids have about their bodies, the more they can stand up for
themselves and come forward when things aren't right” (Nyznik, 2015)
Underlying messages including “tolerance and abstaining from sex… [and] Issues about gender
identity or sexual orientation…” (Nyznik, 2015)
Research shows that comprehensive sexual health education leads to a reduction in sexual
activity overall: this is view is agreed upon by most if not all – both ‘for’ or ‘against’ – as the
ultimate goal for children (Nyznik, 2015)

18. THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPLEMENTING THE NEW SEX
EDUCATION CURRICULUM
NEGATIVE:
Premier Kathleen Wynne reintroducing the 2010 revised Sex Ed curriculum (described by
outraged parents as graphic when it was launched) greatly effected the public’s response to
the 2015 version being implemented in schools now (CLC, 2015)
Plans to teach topics such as, “masturbation, anal intercourse, oral sex, vaginal lubrication, and
the idea that being male or female as merely a social construct” (CLC, 2015) have a
controversial response leading to a growth in parental opposition and parental protests against
the curriculum (CLC, 2015)
Resulting from the controversy around Ontario’s new sexual education curriculum three
teachers in a Toronto neighbourhood lost their permanent teaching positions due to reduced
classes resulting from “upset parents keeping their kids out of school” (Brown, 2015).

19. https://youtu.be/hTuaoF-ZFaQ
Recap (public response) VIDEO: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuaoF-ZFaQ

20. CLASS DISCUSSION
(IN RELATION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES)
º How does this effect the special education sector?
º How does it effect our jobs as DSWs in school?
º Will this curriculum ultimately benefit or hinder the learning experience
for children with developmental disabilities?
º Opinions? Thoughts? – make sure is DD related!

21. CLASS DISCUSSION (CONT’D)
º How do you feel about this curriculum?
º What are your thoughts/opinions?
º Are you for or against the changes?
º Anything else you wish to comment on or
about?

22. CLOSING THOUGHTS
º Our groups opinions after doing this assignment topic…
º Has anyone’s changed?
º Stayed the same?

23. REFERENCES
º Artuso, A. (2015, February 23). Ontario's new sex ed curriculum revealed. Retrieved from Toronto Sun:
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/02/23/ontarios-new-sex-ed-curriculum-revealed
º Brown, L. (2015, October 27). Three teachers lose jobs over sex-ed boycott. Retrieved from Toronto
Star: http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/education/2015/10/27/three-teachers-lose-jobs-over-sex-
ed-boycott.html
º CLC. (2015). Ontario's Radical Sex Ed Curriculum. Retrieved from Campaign Life Coalition:
http://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/index.php?p=Sex_Ed_curriculum
º Education, M. o. (2015). Health and Physical Education. The Ontario Curriculum, 244.
doi:http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjABah
UKEwiX4rDu6uzIAhXLpR4KHUXlBFw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edu.gov.on.ca%2Feng%2Fcurriculum
%2Felementary%2Fhealth1to8.pdf&usg=AFQjCNEKrLjkKMtdnMWkHUcXaeuftwTiKw&bvm=bv.1063795
43,d.
º Leslie, K. (2015, February 23). Ontario’s new sex ed curriculum will teach consent in Grade 2. Retrieved
from GlobalNews: http://globalnews.ca/news/1844927/ontario-revises-sex-education-curriculum/
º Mark Blinch, C. P. (2015, January 9). New Ontario sex-ed curriculum will include consent awareness.
Retrieved from CBCnews Toronto: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-ontario-sex-ed-
curriculum-will-include-consent-awareness-1.2894623
º Nyznik, J. (2015). Woman who works with child victims says Ontario's new sex education curriculum was
the right move . Retrieved from Peterborough Examiner:
www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2015/10/03/woman-who-works-with-child-victims-says-ontarios-
new-sex-education-curriculum-was-the-right-move
º Robert Benzie, R. F. (2015, February 23). New sex-ed curriculum gets mixed reviews from parents.
Retrieved from Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/02/23/ontario-finally-
unveils-revamped-sex-education-curriculum.html

24. VIDEO References:
#1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuaoF-ZFaQ
#2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQbei5JGiT8
#3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1cE3nfIsLg