Modesto board approves 5th-grade sex ed curriculum amid strong community debate
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- Modesto school board approved a 5th-grade sex ed plan by a 5-2 trustee vote.
- Curriculum includes hygiene, relationships, safety; critics cite age concerns.
- Parent opt-out allowed; over 190 California districts use similar materials.
Modesto City Schools trustees voted 5-2 Monday night to approve the proposed fifth-grade sex education curriculum with the addition of contracting with community organizations to provide information on human trafficking and internet safety. Trustees Jolene Daly and Cindy Marks voted against the motion.
The board also recommended that the content be made available in both English and Spanish, so Spanish-speaking parents can fully understand and decide whether to opt their children in or out.
Trustee Marks introduced two unsuccessful motions. The first would have replaced the proposed curriculum with one focused solely on hygiene and growth and development, supplemented by free community-led instruction on topics like internet safety and human trafficking, offered by the Sheriff’s Office and the nonprofit Without Permission. The other rejected the recommended curriculum, “Puberty Talks.” Only Daly supported the motions.
The approved curriculum covers hygiene, nutrition, growth and development, internet safety, social influences, and communication and relationships.
Like the previous meeting, the boardroom was packed with parents, students and community members, many of whom voiced strong opinions. Associate Superintendent Mike Rich gave a presentation on the curriculum, answering lingering board questions.
During public comment, 62 people lined up to speak. Compared to the last meeting, more voiced support for the curriculum this time. Twenty-one speakers, including doctors and mental health professionals, many wearing “Vote Yes” buttons, urged approval.
Dr. Margaret Howe, a parent and OB-GYN, emphasized the importance of teaching anatomical terms to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure timely care. She noted that 95% of her patients do not know correct terms like vulva, labia and vagina.
“Help me help my patients,” Howe said.
Others emphasized that a lack of education leaves students more vulnerable to harm and that comprehensive lessons increase the likelihood that children will disclose abuse. They also noted that without open discussion in schools, parents may never hear the questions their children are too afraid or unsure to ask.
Parent Jaime Perez voiced support for the curriculum, saying that in many Latino families — the majority of the district’s student population — conversations about sex are often avoided. He said it’s essential for schools to take the lead in ensuring students receive accurate and age-appropriate information.
“There’s a big disconnect between parents and teens when it comes to anything sex related. Our community needs this curriculum so that our youth are better educated,” Perez said.
Opponents of the curriculum questioned whether the content is age-appropriate and argued that parents, not schools, should decide when and how to teach their children about these topics. They also stressed that fifth-grade health education is not required by the state and called it unnecessary for that age group.
Several critics cited Modesto City Schools’ low literacy and test scores, claiming that students already struggle with basic English and math, making health education a lower priority.
“Why do fifth-graders need this curriculum? We don’t teach algebra 2 to second-graders. Why are we confusing young minds?” said Ron Wirsham, a retired teacher.
“There’s a higher hidden agenda behind this curriculum. If you teach [that there are] more than two sexes, it goes from education into indoctrination,” said Eric Haley, another public speaker.
A statement was also read on behalf of state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, expressing her opposition to the curriculum. “There is no need for 10-year-olds to be discussing gender ideology, sexual orientation or any content related to sexual behavior at school. These are deeply personal conversations that should happen at home between parents and their children, not dictated by a school district,” her statement read.
Trustee Abel Maestas added that he found nothing in the curriculum he wouldn’t be comfortable sharing with his own fifth-grade child.
At both meetings, misinformation regarding the content of the curriculum — specifically, claims that it includes graphic topics like masturbation and anal sex — continued to be talking points for those in opposition. However, those topics appear only in the appendix as guidance for teachers if students ask questions. They are not part of the student lessons.
There also were claims at the last meeting that mental health professionals had not reviewed the curriculum. Trustee John Ervin III clarified that mental health experts were involved in its development. He added that two psychologists and a licensed marriage and family therapist he consulted all agreed the material is age-appropriate.
A printout of public emails submitted to the board in recent days was also shared at the meeting, with all but one expressing support for the curriculum and citing research on the benefits of comprehensive sex education. Research shows that comprehensive sex education, especially when started early, effectively prevents child sexual abuse, promotes healthy relationships, reduces violence and supports LGBTQ inclusion.
The California Healthy Youth Act was introduced in early 2015 and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October of that year. Schools began adopting CHYA-compliant materials during the 2016–17 school year, with the California Department of Education overseeing compliance.
According to the publisher of “Puberty Talks,” over 190 districts in California use the curriculum, including Manteca and Stockton school districts.
Under CHYA, if a district offers health education, it must include instruction on gender identities. However, parents can opt their children out of specific topics, such as gender identity lessons, or from the entire curriculum.
According to Modesto City Schools, 33 students opted out of last year’s eighth-grade “Teen Talk” curriculum. Daly attributed this to a lack of parent awareness about the curriculum’s actual content.
“Parents do not co-parent with the state or the district,” she said.
Districts have the discretion to decide whether lessons are taught in mixed-gender groups or separately by gender.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM.
