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The Flanagan-Cornell District 74, which teaches 314 students, reported it has opted out of teaching the new curriculum, which includes lessons about masturbation starting in Grade 3.
There were four school districts which did not reply to a query about if it would opt out of teaching the curriculum or said it would wait to make a decision.
The curriculum was criticized by Republicans as “outrageous” and “perverted” while advocates claimed it would safely teach students about things they’re already learning on the internet.
Out of Illinois’ 852 school districts, 520 have opted out of teaching the lessons, leaving students with no sex education lessons at all.
School districts can’t normally opt out of teaching part of a curriculum. However, the sex education bill signed by the Illinois governor included the opportunity for school districts to opt out of teaching the curriculum if they were opposed to the teaching. Some school districts have opted out of teaching the curriculum for certain grades.
Individual school data was gathered by grassroots organization Awake, IL.
| School District | Number of Students | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell Community Consolidated School District 426 | 94 | Opting Out |
| Dwight Common School District 232 | 450 | Opting Out |
| Dwight Township High School District 230 | 228 | Opting Out |
| Flanagan-Cornell District 74 | 314 | Opting Out |
| Odell Community Consolidated School District 435 | 136 | No Response |
| Pontiac Community Consolidated School District 429 | 1,141 | Opting Out |
| Pontiac Township High School District 90 | 677 | Opting Out |
| Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 | 1,692 | Opting Out |
| Rooks Creek Community Consolidated School District 425 | 51 | No Response |
| Saunemin Community Consolidated School District 438 | 128 | Opting Out |
| Tri-Point Community Unit School District 6-J | 359 | No Response |
| Woodland Community Unit School District 5 | 441 | No Response |
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