Stephanie McDowell: Hazy legislation is forcing Montana schools toward censorship

For 25 years, Bridgercare has offered knowledgeable sexual well being schooling in our neighborhood — together with in our public faculties. This has lengthy been a robust partnership; academics who wished to supply their college students with complete, high-quality intercourse ed, however weren’t specialists themselves, have been in a position to lean on us to bridge that data hole. College students, dwelling by way of the challenges that include puberty and adolescent relationships, have been supplied with nonjudgmental, compassionate, medically correct assets to assist them navigate these tough waters. However new rules have successfully ended this partnership, as Bozeman Faculties at the moment are cautious of partnering with any exterior group for concern of operating afoul of SB 99.

SB 99, in response to the sponsor of the invoice, was meant to do two issues: first, require parental notification on intercourse ed and supply alternatives to decide their youngsters out; second, bar abortion suppliers from educating in faculties. It had been normal apply on Bridgercare’s finish to supply superior notification and curriculum transparency, and Bridgercare doesn’t present abortions – so we felt that SB 99 would have little impact on our schooling efforts.

Faculty districts have obtained authorized steerage to take a hyper-cautious method, decoding “human sexuality” within the invoice as making use of to courses far exterior of what has traditionally been thought-about intercourse ed. By this definition, historical past models on homosexual rights and gender equality actions could possibly be topic to SB 99. English courses on any novels overlaying intimate relationships (like Romeo and Juliet), could possibly be topic to SB 99. Bozeman Superintendent Casey Bertram mentioned that this “seems like censorship.” We agree.

It’s the character of public bureaucracies to be cautious. Litigation and controversy are costly and draining. So, when noncompliance carries severe danger, it is easy to grasp why faculty districts throughout the state would take a conservative method. However within the strategy of avoiding battle, it’s the scholars and college who are suffering probably the most.

In line with the 2021 Montana Youth Danger Conduct Survey, over 40% of Montana highschool college students have had intercourse. Just a little below half of these reported not utilizing condoms the final time they’d intercourse. Eleven p.c of Montana excessive schoolers additionally reported having been pressured to have intercourse towards their will.

These are actual points that our Montana teenagers face at this time. We have now implausible academics who wish to help their college students with intercourse ed that offers them correct info, helps college students assess how private values inform selections round intercourse, and educates them about consent and wholesome relationships. Nonetheless, these devoted academics usually don’t have the instruments or coaching to offer our children the assistance that they want and deserve. Now, academics may face penalties for asking for assist.

Nobody is blissful about this example. And till faculty districts get readability on what precisely SB 99 is meant to do — whether or not that readability comes from the Legislature or the courts — academics and college students pays the value.