Last week, various organizations dedicated to the welfare of Michigan’s youth raised a red flag to parents and grandparents of children enrolled in the state’s public schools, pointing out a concerning proposed alteration to sex education for younger students.
Citizens for Traditional Values cautioned that Michigan’s current health standards for sex education allow parents the discretion to determine whether their child participates in the class or not.
It is noteworthy that Michigan public schools mandate a health class for graduation, which is distinct from the sex education curriculum. The health class encompasses a variety of topics such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, the importance of physical activity, mental well-being, fostering healthy relationships, and time management.
Back in 2004, Michigan legislators established a law that enshrined parental rights by making sex education an elective rather than a graduation requirement. This legislation ensures that parents have the option to exempt their children from attending sex education classes if they so wish.
Furthermore, the law mandates that if a school offers sex education, it must do so with an advisory board that includes local clergy, parents, and community members to provide oversight and input.
Currently, however, the Michigan State Board of Education (SBOE) is attempting to overhaul this system:
They propose making sex education a compulsory part of health education in Michigan public schools. This would not only contravene the existing law that separates sex education from health classes, but it would also eliminate parents’ right to opt their children out of these classes altogether. Why? Because if sex education becomes integrated into the health curriculum – which is required for graduation – opting out would no longer be an option.
Kevin Kijewski, a Republican candidate for Michigan Attorney General and former superintendent of the Archdiocese of Detroit, has sharply criticized the proposed change, labeling it both unlawful and “reckless.”
Kijewski is scheduled to testify before the Michigan Department of Education today, where he plans to advocate for the parents whose concerns have been overlooked.
In a statement shared with the Gateway Pundit, Mr. Kijewski expressed his grave concerns about these pivotal changes in Michigan’s educational framework.
“During my tenure as the superintendent of the Archdiocese of Detroit, overseeing education for about 30,000 students across 90 schools, I consistently emphasized the importance of legal boundaries, safeguarding parental rights, and delivering age-appropriate content.
My experience leading Michigan’s largest private school system highlighted the critical need to respect family values and adhere to the law.
For these reasons, I vehemently oppose the proposed modifications to Michigan’s Health Education Standards Framework. This plan disregards state statutes, undermines parental authority, and exposes educational institutions to potential legal repercussions.
Last week, I formally reached out to the Michigan State Board of Education, urging them to reject these troubling updates, as they contravene the law and diminish parental rights.
Today, I will reiterate these points to the Board in person, lending my voice to Michigan parents who demand adherence to the law.
This framework does not prioritize health; instead, it represents a stealthy initiative to impose controversial ideologies on our children without proper consent.
Under current Michigan law, specifically MCL 380.1507, sex education remains an elective, not a mandatory part of the health education required for graduation.
The law clearly stipulates parental notification, rights to opt out without penalties, and the formation of a sex education advisory board comprising parents, educators, health professionals, and students to ensure transparency.
Public hearings are to be held for any proposed revisions aimed at these standards. Such safeguards are designed to protect families by encouraging abstinence as a responsible lifestyle choice and banning certain practices, like distributing contraceptive devices in schools.
This legal framework was established to shield students from being subjected to sensitive, value-laden topics against their will.
However, the approach put forth in the proposed framework egregiously violates these protections, as it integrates discussions about sex education – including gender identity, sexual orientation, and decision-making related to sexual activities – into health classes starting as early as grades 6-8.
For example, middle schoolers would be required to delineate gender identity from biological sex, examine shifting attractions, analyze prevention methods for pregnancy and STIs, and evaluate various sexual behaviors.
This kind of advanced discourse surrounding coercion, diverse sexual identities, and advocacy for related policies would then be part of high school curricula. Such material, akin to restricted sex education content, has been unlawfully included in a graduation prerequisite, thus abolishing the elective nature and parental opt-out rights guaranteed under Michigan law.
This clandestine maneuver undermines both the statute’s intent and the necessary advisory board oversight while placing schools at risk of legal liability for non-compliance.
Moreover, it redirect the focus of health education from non-sexual subjects such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, and safety—topics initially outlined by law.
By mandating lessons on gender fluidity and sexual relationships from early grades, it obviates opportunities for opt-outs and contravenes state law.
Even more critically, this proposal runs counter to U.S. Supreme Court precedents affirming parental rights. In the recent ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Court ruled 6-3 that a school district’s prohibition on opting out of sexually charged topics infringed upon parents’ religious practices by compelling exposure to content that conflicts with their faith-based beliefs on gender and sexuality, absent a compelling government interest that could justify such restrictions under strict scrutiny.
By mandating health classes without necessary opt-out provisions, Michigan’s framework effectively imposes ideological content that many parents, including those with religious convictions, find contrary to their values – especially concerning the immutable nature of biological sex.
This compulsory approach blatantly contravenes the Court’s emphasis on safeguarding parental rights against governmental overreach, violating the Free Exercise Clause and opening the door to constitutional challenges.
For decades, the Court has affirmed the fundamental right of parents to guide their children’s upbringing.
As articulated in wisconsin v. yoder, “The history and culture of Western civilization reflect a strong tradition of parental concern for the nurture and upbringing of their children. This primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.”
The recent proposal in Michigan signifies a systematic erosion of these rights, consolidating control in contravention of legislative intent and muting family voices.
This is not merely a policy debate; it is a perilous circumvention that elevates radical ideologies above legal norms. Michigan families deserve an educational framework that prioritizes health and safety instead of one that attempts to indoctrinate youth without proper transparency.
As the next Attorney General of Michigan, I pledge to vigorously enforce state law, uphold parental rights, and ensure accountability – including pursuing legal action against any district or state actor that contravenes Michigan law.
Launching a Division of Parental and Student Rights to defend families, investigate overreach, and halt violations while restoring trust in our educational institutions will be among my first priorities.
A rally is scheduled for today:
JOIN THE FINAL PUSH to preserve parental control over sex education and to STOP INSTITUTIONALIZED GROOMING — funded by your tax dollars! https://t.co/jQnwx5bIZS
— MIDistrict9 (@MIDistrict9) October 13, 2025
The Michigan Board of Education must turn away from this framework and sidestep legal complications that may undermine our schools and families.
I will steadfastly support Michigan parents in their quest to safeguard our children, uphold the rule of law, and restore a sense of normalcy to education. Together, let’s put an end to this farce and progress Michigan into a brighter future.”
The Michigan Department of Education is set to hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 14, at 1 PM.
