If it would get their religious views out of the curriculum...

I'd be all for it. That's right, the NC legislature has proposed a third option for sex-ed in this state, as reported by the N&O here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/story/1476957.html

For a state the promotes abstinence-only sex education, this might not be a bad thing. If and only if they allow the opt-out on a curriculum that teaches the students about STD's, birth control, and responsible decision-making without all the lovely Bible Belt influence that is currently present. I'd like to make the following proposal to the NC Legislature:

1). Change the sex-ed curriculum to align with NIH guidelines. (I'd tell them to try matching that of a more progressive state, but they get a bit shirty about such things)

2.) Allow students to opt out of that curriculum at the parent's behest.

3) Educate the parents about the rates of teen sexual activity, pregnancy, and disease, including all the factors that predispose teens to each of those. (Fundies tend not to remember the birth control in their rush of guilt, and trends like saddlebacking spread STD's more rapidly. Unprotected anal sex with multiple partners isn't a good idea.)

4) If a child who has been opted out of the curriculum is later reported to have contracted an STD or becomes a parent, while still under their parents' care, charge the parent with neglect for failing to provide the information needed for the teen to make a responsible decision.