WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) —  Some Williamson County School board members backtracked on their initial hesitation about approving an AP Psychology textbook, ultimately voting unanimously in favor of the curriculum at Monday night’s meeting.

The 11-person board unanimously voted to adopt the committee-recommended option: Meyer’s AP Psychology.

"I'm glad we tabled it and had time to look because I kind of re-evaluated things,” WCS board member Donna Clements said during a work session last week.

Last month, some board members shared concerns over the textbook's LGBTQ+ content and rejected a committee-recommended science curriculum, which prompted about a dozen parents to voice their concerns at Monday's meeting.

"I am discouraged and alarmed to hear that we have school board members claiming to know the values of the majority in Williamson County,” concerned parent Hilary King-Werthan told board members.

Last Thursday, board members listened to a presentation explaining how the textbook aligns with both writing and science practices on the new AP exam. A faculty member also explained how state law requires students' parents to receive a month's notice ahead of the gender and sexual orientation lesson, requiring parents to choose whether they "opt-in."

“They have to give them the 30-day notice, which really gives the parents the option … so there's no surprises,” Clements added.

According to WCS, teachers typically only spend one class period or less on the lesson. Students whose parents choose to "opt out" can be excused or given another assignment.

"This is a college course, with college-age material," parent Emily Paisley said Monday. "There is no basis to limit or change the suggested materials which provide the necessary knowledge required to obtain a psychology degree."

Clements also mentioned state legislation on the horizon next year aiming to ban the teaching of LGBTQ+ content in schools.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/wcs-adopts-ap-psychology-textbook/