TOPEKA ? The State Board of Education today failed to adopt a sex education policy.

The board deadlocked 5-5 on two proposals.

One proposal would have kept the current policy, which lets school districts decide whether to require parental permission for students to attend sex education class or , allows parents to take their child out of the class if they object. The so-called “opt-out” method is used by most districts, including Lawrence.

The other proposal would have recommended school districts require parental permission for the student to take sex education.

Conservative board members sought this “opt-in” approach, saying that it would increase parental involvement in their children’s lives.

But moderates argued that some parents simply would not take the time to give their children permission, which would result in fewer students receiving important sex education .

Conservatives have a 6-4 majority on the board, but one of them, Kathy Martin, a Clay Center Republican, sided with the board’s less conservative members, saying she favored leaving the choice up to local districts.

The deadlock means the board may take up the policy issue next month.

— The Associated Press contributed to this story.