Practically Speaking
Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers' perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.
UPDATE: Call State Representative & Senator: VOTE NO on AB458 State Mandated Sex Ed
Wisconsin's State Assembly will vote on bill AB 458 today, Thursday, Nov. 5th. This bill would seriously alter Wisconsin's current human growth and development (sex education) statutes. If passed, AB458 would remove local school board's control over how sex ed is taught in each district.
Assembly Republicans were able to temporarily block the vote on Tuesday, but it will come to the floor today, the last day the Assembly meets for the year.
Considering the countless hours Elmbrook's Human Growth & Development curriculum committee spent on evaluating our proposed HG&D program, the state usurping our and other school board's local control, disregards the sacrifice of time and talent these committees invested in their programs. The bill disregards the right of local boards to make decisions for their districts.
I urge you to call your State Representative and tell them to vote NO on AB 458. My Rep. is Leah Vukmir 608-266-9180. Rep. Rich Zipperer 608-266-5120 represents the west side of Brookfield. (Even though the Republicans are against this legislation, I still call to voice my support for their position.)
What is so bad about the bill? Senator Glenn Grothman explained on Jay Weber's radio program Wed. morning how AB 458 would change HG&D instruction in Wisconsin (should it pass) Here are my notes:
- We would have to do [teach] it in a way that doesn't create any bias against those sexually active.
- It would ban abstinence centered and abstinence only teaching like Thiensville['s program.]
- This would force districts to allow Planned Parenthood into the classroom for condom demonstrations, starting at age 12.
- It would normalize teen sex, which is illegal according to state law for children under age 16.
Sen. Grothman mentioned that the Assembly Republicans tried to get an amendment to "provide instruction in marriage and parental responsibility," included in the bill, but that provision was rejected by the Democrats. (That language is currently in the state statutes.)
Pro-Life Wisconsin's Monday Update outlined more specifically what AB 458 would do.
A reader brought this omission to my attention: P.5, lines17-19 states that schools must "Use instructional methods and materials that do not promote bias against pupils of any race, gender sexual orientation, or ethnic or cultural background or against sexually active pupils or children with disabilities." Religion isn't included. I guess it is OK to create bias against those with religious teachings that prohibit or condemn certain practices?
Republicans are outnumbered in the Assembly, so AB 458 will probably pass. Normally it would go to the Senate after passage. But the regular legislature is about to shut down for the year, so the senate version, SB324, will have to wait until the State Senate resumes early next year, around Jan. 19th. UPDATE: They have already had their public hearing on the bill, so passage could occur without much notice. Call your State Senator too.
Did I mention that my State Senator Jim Sullivan - Democrat - was a cosponsor of the bill?
We don't treat underage drinking in the same way we treat pre-marital/teen sex. Imagine if we taught school children from Kindergarten on, that drinking alcohol is just a choice, no matter what their age? Or taught them how to drink safely? Or had the bartenders association come in and instruct 12 year-olds in the fine art of drink mixing?
If for no other reason, that shifting control over to the state that rightly belongs to the local school districts, this bill is a bad idea. Call your Representative and Senator.
Brookfield's legislators:
Rep. Leah Vukmir - Republican - 608-266-9180
Rep. Rich Zipperer - Repbulican - 608-266-5120
Sen. Ted Kanavas - Republican - 608-266-9174
Sen. Jim Sullivan -Co-Sponsor of bill - Democrat - 608-266-2512, (fax) 608-267-0367
Find your state legislators if you live outside of Brookfield.
More reading: State Assembly Bill AB 458
Grothman Calls on Public To Speak Out Against Unhealthy Youth Sex Ed Bill
National Prevention Information Network: Bill Would Rewrite Rules For Public Sex Education "If passed, the legislation would restructure K-12 sex education in Wisconsin, update its main topics, and sweep aside abstinence-only policies, say its supporters. Opponents criticize the bill as a heavy-handed mandate and say contraception should not be taught in schools. Requiring only comprehensive sex education in school districts is 'a violation of the principle of local control,' said Matt Sande, director of legislation for Pro-Life Wisconsin."
Links:
Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, BetterBrookfield, Vicki McKenna, Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Randy Melchert, Mark Levin, The Heritage Foundation, CNS News, Breitbart BigGovernment
12 COMMENTS
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Tarzan suggests everyone sell home and move to country. Take up farming for living.
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I say let our kids "Use The Force".
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- had to comment -
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I for one cannot believe that you are openly discussing a topic having a dirty word in its title. This, along with mention of certain bodily functions, would certainly not be allowed on Justice Steinberg's blog! (see Steinberg v. Elf in rel. Right on from City Hall)
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I'm not really for teens having sex....but is it really against the law if you're under 16 ? What do they do to you ? Do they yank those criminals right out of the school system and incarcerate them or do they just slap them on their........?
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This bill is 7 pages long. PLEASE READ IT AND THEN THINK ABOUT IT.
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mlleelle, Don't you think you should maybe include your bias on this topic with your comment in support of the measure?
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I cannot imagine how in this era of ALL educational and wellness practice being designed, planned, chosen, organized, and evaluated on the baiss of evidence-based effectiveness………how could we even consider allowing schools to teach sex ed that DOESN'T meet the minimum standards set forth in the bill?
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Maybe someone from the HG&D committee could help me out here, but isn't the criteria for "success" in abstinence based programs no pregnancy for 5 years, while comprehensive or Planned Parenthood type program success is no pregnancy for 1 year?
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What I don't like (in addition to all the reasons mentioned) is that they're taking the words "to support and enhance the efforts of parents to provide moral guidance to their children" out of the state statute. The bill also makes it harder for parents to review the materials that will be taught in the schools. They are trying to take parents out of the picture, in a sense telling us that professional educators know better, and we should just keep our nose out of what they're teaching our kids!
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Load more comments View all comments Back to topTarzan of the Apes - Nov 08, 2009 9:29 PM - Report Abuse
Farm animals teach much to children about matters of procreation.
Tarzan asks if Kyle has lived on farm.
Lord Brookfield - Nov 05, 2009 7:09 PM - Report Abuse
May the Force be with you.
Santas Elf - Nov 05, 2009 6:49 PM - Report Abuse
What they do to you if you have s.x and are under 16 years of age depends a lot on who and where you are.
If you are male, you are off the hook unless you contract an std or she becomes preggers.
If, however, you are female, your fate depends upon where you are.
If you are in Saudi Arabia, plan on being publicly beheaded.
If you are in the inner city plan on having mom toss you about the basement for an evening, then raise you kids for you while you go out to work.
And if you are in Brookfield, your parents will get a call from whomever, and they will ground you for the remainder of the week. And should you become preggers, you will have to visit Planned Parenthood and have the nice doctor 'fix your problem'!
4KDad - Nov 05, 2009 6:19 PM - Report Abuse
What level of immodest behavior is unacceptable here? Need every attempt at civic discourse end in a pig sty mud fest?
I no longer want my Moofy Ann to attend the Elmbrook Public Schools at any grade level. My Moofy will matriculate at Brookfield Academy where things are as they ought to be!
had to comment - Nov 05, 2009 5:35 PM - Report Abuse
CarpieD - Nov 05, 2009 4:18 PM - Report Abuse
I read it and NOWHERE did i see that the state would take over sex ed. It allows districts to decide if they will teach AGE APPROPRIATE lessons, which include such items as self-esteem, responsible decision making, personal responsibility and discouragement of adolescent sexual activity. Also family life skills, HIV, AIDS, etc. It also states that if a school district does offer the above, then they must ALSO provide instruction in marriage and parental responsibilty.
Scandalous!
It allows members of the clergy (there's a joke here, but I'll let it go), along with parents, teachers, school administrators, pupils and health care professionals to develop the age-appropriate curriculum.
It also states: "Instruction under this subdivision shall stress the value of abstinence as the most reliable way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections."
I do not get why this would be terrible thing, except it mentions (more than once) "acceptable scientific methods." I guess when science is brought into it, it makes it unacceptable to the conservative right.
Kyle Prast - Nov 05, 2009 12:38 PM - Report Abuse
mlleelle - Nov 05, 2009 12:32 PM - Report Abuse
Schools are for teaching facts to kids. Parents and churches can do the teaching of values about behavior that are not based on any particular scientific evidence, if they so choose.
I'm glad our reps are taking this seriously. to do otherwise is shameful. kids lives are at stake!
Kyle Prast - Nov 05, 2009 11:22 AM - Report Abuse
concerned mom - Nov 05, 2009 10:26 AM - Report Abuse
My understanding is that it also allows groups like Planned Parenthood to come in to the schools and teach sex education, allowing them to bring their agenda into all the public schools in Wisconsin.