To the editor:

What do stories about the Tooth Fairy and claims about the wisdom of an “opt-in” policy for sex education courses have in common? They’re both myths. While believing the former might result in a quarter under your pillow, buying into the latter will likely result in higher rates of STDs and teen pregnancy, not to mention an increase in unnecessary paperwork for schools.

Proponents of the opt-in policy argue it will give parents more control over what their children learn in school, but if parents are really that concerned, why don’t they just sign the “opt-out” slip that has been available to them since 1987? Moving to an opt-in policy will only hurt those students who stand to lose the most under such a switch: those whose parents are too indifferent to sign the permission slip.

I applaud the Lawrence school district for its plans to maintain its opt-out status, and I encourage other Kansas school districts to do the same.

Amy Lampe,

Lawrence