A state investigation has determined that the Cajon Valley Union School District's sexual health curriculum discriminates against LGBTQ+ individuals by omitting legally required instruction on LGBTQ+ and gender topics. The curriculum does not address LGBTQ+ people or issues at all. Cajon Valley is one of several school districts in California and nationwide pressured by some groups to eliminate materials related to LGBTQ+ topics. Advocates of these changes argue that parents should control what is taught about gender and sexuality, while LGBTQ+ allies consider these moves a coordinated effort of discrimination under the guise of parental rights.

 

The district, which serves about 15,600 students from TK-8, teaches sexual health to seventh and eighth graders. Previously, it had a curriculum that included LGBTQ+ topics, but the board decided to create its own curriculum.

 

According to the California Department of Education, the new curriculum violates state law by omitting required components such as the recognition of different sexual orientations, mentions of same-sex relationships, and the harms of gender stereotypes. District leaders believe their curriculum complies with the law but will review it and consult with the state to ensure compliance.

 

Prompted by a complaint, the president of Cajon Valley's classified employees union highlighted other examples of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the district, such as the termination of a mental health services contract and the removal of "safe space" posters.

For four consecutive years, Cajon Valley did not provide comprehensive sexual health education due to pandemic disruptions and the lack of an updated curriculum. In 2023, it only offered fragmented education after abandoning the curriculum used since 2017 without approving a replacement.

 

The new curriculum, approved in March and consisting of PowerPoint presentations, does not mention LGBTQ+ terms or topics, leading to state reprimands. The district has deadlines to demonstrate that its curriculum meets state requirements and to properly train teachers.