D-R School Committee Discusses DESE Framework

A few Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee members have expressed doubts about the proposed Comprehensive Health and Physical Education framework presented by DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). Last July, DESE released a 46 page draft of the curriculum framework.  DESE had sought feedback from parents and educators about what should be taught in schools.

“We do owe something to the parents to try to alert them to these things and to look out for them and the students,” said committee member Jeffrey Reber, noting the feedback on the new framework had been overwhelmingly negative. “With what DESE and the state are trying to do right now, I think an ‘opt-in’ is totally reasonable.”

“If we (implement) the ‘opt-in,’ I think it’s important we provide structured content to parents,” said committee vice chair Chris Andrade. Andrade said it was possible the state and DESE would implement mandatory sex education in schools.

“While we are bound to implement the frameworks developed by DESE, the superintendent and other staff in the district are able to determine the lessons in curriculum materials that will be most effective,” Superintendent Bill Runey said Friday.  “I am monitoring this so that we can strike a balance between compliance and frameworks while also determining lessons and curriculum materials that are in keeping with the perspective locally,” Runey added. 

DESE has outlined seven practices, including decision-making and problem solving, self-management and goal-setting, social awareness, relationship and communication skills, movement skills, and self-advocacy and health promotion.

DESE notes: The standards are presented by grade span: Pre–K-2, grades 3–5, grades 6–8, and grades 9–12. The standards are considered learning goals that are intended to be achieved by the end of each grade span, respectively. Within each grade span, the standards are grouped by practice. This reflects the importance of the practices for students across the disciplines of health education, physical education, and in developing social emotional competencies.

DESE’s CHPE report can be accessed at: https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/healthframework/