Michigan board approves new health and sex education standards in public schools – CBS News

Report on Michigan’s Updated Health Education Standards and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

• On November 13, the Michigan State Board of Education voted to update the state’s health and sexual education standards for public schools, which had not been revised for nearly two decades.
• The primary objective of the update is to reflect contemporary health challenges, scientific advancements, and societal evolution, thereby aligning educational content with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The framework allows for local curriculum control and upholds parental rights, reflecting principles of inclusive governance.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The updated standards directly address targets within SDG 3 by promoting knowledge on contemporary health issues.

• Modern Health Risks: The new guidelines incorporate education on current public health concerns, including vaping, opioid use, and managing health during crises.
• Comprehensive Sexual Health: By modernizing sexual education, the standards aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of health and well-being, empowering them to make informed life choices.

Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The initiative enhances the quality and inclusivity of education, a core component of SDG 4, while simultaneously working to reduce inequalities as targeted by SDG 10.

1. Relevant Curriculum: The update ensures educational content is relevant to the current environment, addressing the influence of technology and social media on student well-being.
2. Inclusive Learning Environments: A significant component of the update is the inclusion of education on the spectrum of sexuality. This measure is intended to foster greater empathy, understanding, and respect among students for diverse identities, directly contributing to more inclusive school communities.
3. Fostering Empathy: As articulated by community stakeholders like parent Arika Lycan, this inclusive education is expected to create “space for more empathy and more understanding,” reducing prejudice and inequality within the student body.

Upholding SDG 5: Gender Equality

The revised standards support the principles of SDG 5 by promoting a more inclusive understanding of identity.

• By encouraging education that includes a spectrum of sexuality and gender identities, the policy promotes an environment of acceptance and respect.
• This approach contributes to the broader goal of achieving gender equality by educating students on diversity and fostering respect for all individuals.

Framework for Implementation and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The policy’s implementation framework demonstrates a commitment to responsive, inclusive, and participatory governance as outlined in SDG 16.

• Decentralized Control: The State Board of Education sets overarching standards, but empowers local school boards to select and implement specific curricula that best fit their districts.
• Public Consultation: Prior to the vote, the Michigan Department of Education engaged in a public feedback process, receiving over 3,000 emails and surveys, indicating a participatory approach to policy-making.
• Protection of Rights: State law provides strong institutional safeguards for parental rights, including the ability to opt children out of instruction and to participate in local sex education advisory boards, ensuring a balanced and just process.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on Michigan’s updated health and sexual education standards connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on health, education, and equality.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This goal is central to the article, as the primary subject is the update of health education standards. The text explicitly mentions the inclusion of topics like “vaping, opioid use, health during a crisis,” and sexual education, all of which are critical components of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, particularly for students.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The article directly addresses the quality and relevance of education. By updating a “nearly 20-year-old standard” to “reflect current and ever-changing technology, social media and other influences,” the Michigan State Board of Education is working to ensure that the education provided is inclusive, relevant, and effective for modern students. The parent’s comment about wanting their child to have a “basic understanding” of the spectrum of sexuality to create “more empathy and more understanding” also highlights the goal of a more holistic and quality education.
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality: The discussion around updating sexual education to be more inclusive and to teach about the “spectrum of sexuality” directly relates to SDG 5. Providing comprehensive education on these topics is a key step toward achieving gender equality, empowering all students with knowledge, and fostering a culture of respect and understanding.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 3.7 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education…” The article’s focus on updating sexual education standards for all state public schools is a direct effort to provide students with essential information and education related to sexual health, which is a core component of this target.
   • Target 4.7 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for… human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence… and appreciation of cultural diversity…” The parent’s desire for the curriculum to “make space for more empathy and more understanding” and to teach about the “spectrum of sexuality” aligns with this target’s goal of fostering social understanding, gender equality, and respect for diversity through education.
   • Target 5.6 (under SDG 5): “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights…” While similar to Target 3.7, this target places a stronger emphasis on rights and equality. The provision of comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education, as described in the article, is a fundamental mechanism for ensuring young people understand their health and rights, which is crucial for achieving gender equality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies several qualitative and process-based indicators that can measure progress:

   • Indicator for Targets 3.7 and 5.6: The primary indicator is the formal policy change itself. The article states that the Michigan State Board of Education “voted to update a nearly 20-year-old standard on health and sexual education.” This action serves as a measurable indicator of the extent to which national or sub-national education policies and standards include comprehensive sexuality education. The number of school districts that adopt a curriculum based on these new standards would be a further measure of implementation.
   • Indicator for Target 4.7: An implied indicator is the content of the educational standards. The article mentions that the updates will “reflect current and ever-changing technology, social media and other influences” and foster “empathy and more understanding.” The degree to which the new state standards and local curricula incorporate topics of inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality can be assessed to measure progress toward this target. The fact that the Michigan Department of Education received over “3,000 emails and surveys” also indicates a level of public engagement, which can be a metric for assessing the implementation process.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education.	The formal vote by the Michigan State Board of Education to update health and sexual education standards for all public schools.
   SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for gender equality and appreciation of cultural diversity.	The inclusion of content in the updated standards that promotes “empathy and more understanding” regarding the “spectrum of sexuality” and other cultures.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.	The provision of inclusive and comprehensive sexuality education as mandated by the updated state standards, allowing local districts to adopt relevant curricula.

Source: cbsnews.com