OXFORD, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Some parents at Oxford Community Schools are upset their children as young as third grade were asked to describe their gender in a survey about bullying put out by the district.
“Male, female, other, or I prefer not to say.”
The district put out separate surveys for elementary and secondary school students that asked students to define their gender. The survey’s options to the gender question for third-through-fifth graders was “female,” “male,” “other” and “I prefer not to say.” For the secondary sixth through eighth grades, the gender identity options were “female,” “male,” “non-binary, transgender or other” and “I prefer not to say.” The secondary survey had a question that asked, “Which of the following best describes you?” with the responses set as “Heterosexual,” “gay or lesbian,” “bisexual,” and “I prefer not to answer.”
The news site Off The Press reported on the response to the survey in a post on X.
“My son hasn’t even reached puberty yet and you’re asking him sexual preference? His gender identity? He’s third grade,” one woman said at the April 22 school board meeting. “That’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Education or indoctrination?
A man spoke at the board meeting and said he felt the survey is “a veiled attempt at indoctrination.”
Anita Qonja-Collins, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at the district, said at the board meeting the survey was prompted by a report by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that stated bullying was on the rise since the pandemic.
The CDC report said that “sexual or gender minority teenagers” were more likely to be targets of bullying and that LGBTQ students were more prone to depression and suicidal thoughts.
Parents received an email that allowed them to opt-out of the survey. And if they wanted to come to the district, they could review it. If a parent said they couldn’t make it to the district, then the district provided them an online link to the survey.
Opt-in, not opt-out.
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However, some parents said the default for that type of survey should be parents have to opt-in.
Barbara Johnston, a fourth-grade teacher at the district, chastised parents during public commentary at the board meeting for being opposed to the survey.
“But I really came to talk to these people!” Johnston said as she got up from the table and turned her back to the board and faced a crowd of parents.
“There’s some stuff being said about this survey and I want you to know, I gave that survey and there was nothing inappropriate said to the students in my fourth grade class,” Johnston said, before being told she had to address the board, not the parents.
Oxford Community Schools released the following statement:
“Oxford Community Schools is committed to making every student feel safe, respected, and supported. We have heard from several members of our community who shared concerns about two questions included in a recent student survey on bullying. We appreciate hearing from families and community members and value the opportunity to respond.
The survey was part of our ongoing efforts to better understand student experiences and improve school climate. It was optional and anonymous for all students. Parents were informed in advance, had the opportunity to review the questions, and could decide whether their child participated. Students also had the option to skip any question they didn’t feel comfortable answering.
Including optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the middle and high school versions of the survey is a research-supported practice. This helps schools identify bullying patterns and provide support to students who may be more vulnerable. The insights gained help us determine where additional support may be needed, fulfill our obligations under Michigan law, and enhance our efforts to create inclusive, welcoming school environments for all students.”