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A new state law repealed the
requirement that sex education instruction include discussion of contraceptives
as a way to prevent STDs and pregnancy, but some local educators say they have
no plans to move away from a comprehensive approach.
“The law really doesn’t change our
curriculum,” said Jim Sauter, principal of Chippewa Falls High School.
The law, backed by Republican
legislators, was signed by Gov. Scott Walker in April. Its supporters say it
clears the way for abstinence-only sex education instruction by allowing
communities to decide which approach best serves their needs.
Wisconsin law has long required
educators to work with school board advisory committees to establish sex
education curricula. These committees are composed of teachers, school
administrators, students, health care professionals, clergy, and other district
residents. Committees typically meet every three years to do a curriculum
review.
Detractors of the new law say this
review process already ensured community input. They worry that districts that
select an abstinence-only approach could see a rise in teen STDs and pregnancy.
“We’ve been tracking this for decades, and we know abstinence-only education
doesn’t work as well,” said Gretchen Beckstrom, a health teacher in the Eau
Claire school district.
“I need to prepare kids for the
future. They’re not always going to be ninth-graders,” said Beckstrom. “Someday
they’re going to need to protect themselves from STDs. And they’re going to
want to plan their families.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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