Independent Hearing on Sex Education State Curriculum Mandates and Parental Rights
by New Jersey Senate Republicans and invited guests
A Republican panel was held on Facebook Live yesterday, Tuesday August 23, 2022 for a frank discussion on New Jersey’s curriculum and its effect on our children. It was an independent hearing on sex education state curriculum mandates and parental rights.
During the hearing, Sen. Joe Pennacchio (chair), Senator Kristin M. Corrado, Sen. Holly Schepisi, and Senator Michael Testa had an informative discussion with school board members, child health experts, and concerned parents.
Parent Advocates
A few familiar names and faces of New Jersey parent advocates, including Eric Simkin (parent and currently campaigning for Voorhees Township Board of Education), Dina Buccino (parent) and Garwood’s own Salvatore Piarulli (parent and current Garwood Board of Education Member), spoke during the independent hearing and brought up some very good points and information.
Professional Opinions and Findings
Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician, analyst & medicine doctor who has been practicing for 32 years. She has also written 7 books regarding parent/child relationships. Since the 1990’s, Dr. Meeker has also began studying sexual activity among teenagers, sexualization of kids through media and our culture. Certified by American Board of Pediatrics and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Meeker is currently on staff at Michigan State School of Human of Medicine practicing Pediatrics.
Irene H. Ericksen, MS is a Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Research and Evaluation out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Irene has been evaluating sex education programs for 30 years, including many federally funded studies. She was one of six national consultants to the landmark CDC meta analysis of sex education effectiveness in 2012. Also, along with colleague Dr. Stan E. Weed, had an article published recently reviewing the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education (CSE) worldwide. Presented these findings at the National Academies of Sciences, the Department of Health and Human Services and the UN Civil Society Conference in the last couple of years.
Watch the Independent Hearing in its Entirety
You can watch the full recorded broadcast on New Jersey Senate Republicans Facebook page or via the direct link: https://fb.watch/f62Z4D0kpz/