LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The state wants to hear from you about upcoming proposed changes to the the health education standards in Michigan’s public schools.

The open comment period is open through Oct. 10.

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“The goal of health education is to develop young people who are health-literate and engage in practices that lead to an overall healthy lifestyle throughout their lives,” said Dr. Diane Golzynski, Michigan Department of Education deputy superintendent for business, health, and library services. “This updated version of Michigan’s standards is more robust and adds details and attention to the critical skills of comprehensive health education and makes links among students’ well-being, school performance and family involvement.”

However, the proposed updated standards are receiving some pushback. The 51-page draft includes broad language. Salt and Light Global, a conservative watchdog group, said the new framework is steeped in progressive ideas like “social health.”

It said the new proposed framework “[embeds] language affirming critical theory, climate activism, ‘reproductive health,’ and queer gender theory the curriculum. The proposed changes threaten the wellbeing of children, families, parental rights, and religious liberty. God-fearing people have a Biblical duty to stand in the gap and safeguard children.”

New standards must align with the Trump administration’s tying of federal funding to the removal of “gender ideology” teachings.

The Michigan Conservative Coalition is also sounding the alarm. “This forced instruction promotes a one-sided or radical view of sexuality, and will infringe on parental rights and children’s innocence,” an email to constituents.

The MDE will review public comment and will then recommend health education standards to the board at a future meeting. Its next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the John A. Hannah Building in Lansing at 9:30 a.m.