Public K-12 education, instruction on success sequence required, State Board of Education to develop model curriculum and adopt rules
This bill will fundamentally alter existing education frameworks by requiring local boards of education to implement this curriculum. It emphasizes the importance of traditional family structures and relationships, providing a model that aligns educational content with socio-economic outcomes. As a result, local educators and school boards will be tasked with adapting their programs to meet the new standards set forth by the State Board of Education.
SB289 mandates that the State Board of Education develop a 'success sequence' curriculum, which focuses on three foundational pillars for youths: completing high school education, securing full-time employment, and marrying before having children. It is based on the premise that stable, married-parent families lead to lower poverty rates and higher academic achievement among children. The curriculum is intended to be taught at least twice to students before graduation, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, and aims to provide them with a framework to achieve better life outcomes.
The passage of SB289 has garnered broad support, with the vote reflecting a unanimous approval by the Senate (92 yeas, 0 nays), indicating a strong legislative consensus on its importance. Proponents view it as a crucial strategy to address issues of poverty and academic failure among youth. However, there may be concerns from some educators and advocacy groups about the appropriateness and efficacy of prescribing specific family structures in an educational context.
Notable points of contention could include debates about the appropriateness of the curriculum's focus on marriage and family as determinants of success. Critics may argue that such approaches do not take into consideration the diverse family structures present in modern society. Additionally, there could be discussions on whether it is the role of education to promote specific values regarding marriage and employment, which could lead to further scrutiny of the curriculum's implementation and its underlying philosophies.