Abstinence, patriotism and monogamy all required curriculum under new Ohio bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio lawmakers proposed a bill that would require public schools to teach character education, including abstinence, patriotism and respect for religious faith.

House Bill 296 would require public schools to teach grades 7-12 about a success sequence for a good life, including 15 distinct morals like punctuality and respect for authority. Under the bill, dubbed the THRIVE Act, districts could also invite religious and political groups to provide after-school instruction about morality.

“The model curriculum shall consist of the value of finishing high school, working full-time, getting married before having children and instruction in the following character traits and fundamental values deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States," the bill reads.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) and Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). Ritter said the idea came after speaking with employers and colleges about a lack of soft skills in applicants, like interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence.

"When you talk about ‘soft skills,’ you are really talking about virtue," Ritter said. "Representative Newman and I thought it was important to bring attention to these long-time American values by reintroducing them to our schools in an intentional way."

The bill lists these 15 virtues as required education:

1. Trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality and loyalty
2. Responsibility, including hard work, accountability, diligence, good judgment, perseverance and self-control
3. Care for family, including parents, siblings, and future spouses and children
4. Kindness and generosity toward others
5. Respect and care for human life
6. Respect for parental authority
7. Respect for parents’ obligations to children
8. Respect for the property of other people
9. Respect for legitimate authority and law
10. Respect for patriotism, service to the community and concern for the common good
11. Respect for religious faith, morality, wisdom and knowledge
12. Respect for lifelong marriage, sexual fidelity within marriage and sexual abstinence outside of marriage
13. Gratitude
14. Charity
15. Courage

The bill would also require districts to teach the success sequence: graduating high school, getting a job and getting married before having children.

"Of course, this isn’t the only pathway to a happy life," Ritter said via email. "Many people raised by single parents are successful. But the data shows that following this formula is the EASIEST way to be successful."

The same sequence was introduced as possible required curriculum in the Senate earlier this year, although it has not advanced out of committee.

As part of the character education program, school districts would be allowed to invite partisan groups into district instructional buildings after school for optional instruction. With parent consent, these programs would expand on the success sequence or character education through a philosophical, historical, traditional or religious lens.

Under H.B. 296, districts could deny groups if the subject matter is not relevant, but they cannot otherwise exclude groups because of their viewpoints, including religious or political groups. Newman said this would be optional at no extra cost for school districts, adding that "reinforcement is key."

Some of the character traits are already included in Ohio's learning standards. Ohio's sexual education standards emphasize abstinence, and the state's social emotional learning standards include things like responsibility and respect.

When asked how some of the skills, like abstinence or fidelity, relate to building stronger interpersonal skills, Ritter reiterated that the bill does not outline the only path to success, just a strong one. Ritter said the bill is "pro-public-school" and "pro-teacher" in introducing concepts and skills that allow students to prosper.

The bill had its first hearing in the House Education Committee on June 3 but does not have a second hearing scheduled at the time of publication.