Horne statement praising SCOTUS decision permitting opt out of inappropriate sexual classes

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne issued the following statement supporting today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that schools must provide an opt-out for parents excusing their children when their religious beliefs conflict with course material.

Horne stated, “The United States Supreme Court decision allowing parents to have their children opt out of inappropriate sexual classes is needed.

While scientific education regarding reproduction at an appropriate age is perfectly proper, there has been a trend to subject young children to sexual lessons which are inappropriate to their age.

Defenders of these programs say they want to be welcoming and inclusive. The proper way to do that is to include all students in education about reading, writing, math, science, history, and the arts. The inappropriate lessons about which parents are complaining are a distraction from these crucial academic subjects. My principal goal has been to bring back academic focus into the classrooms. Many of these age-inappropriate sexual lessons are distasteful, damaging to young children, and are a distraction from the academics teachers ought to be teaching.”