Presentation on theme: "New Sexuality Education Requirements in Illinois:"— Presentation transcript:
1New Sexuality Education Requirements in Illinois: What It Means for You and Your Students
2IntroductionsContributions from:Tammi Tannura,Kinesiology Department and School of Professional StudiesTammy Wynard: Health Education Faculty, Health and Physical Education Program Coordinator Alyssa Walters: Senior Health and Physical Education MajorAround the world sentence stem warm up (inner circle and outer circle face each other) - AlyssaMost people learn about sex byYouth should learn about sex bySex education isThe purpose of sex education should be
3First Things First Abstinence-Only Education Comprehensive Sex EducationAbstinence-Only-Until-Marriage EducationAbstinence-Based EducationAbstinence-Only Education teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for teenagers. It usually censors information about contraception and condoms for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancy. Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for unmarried young people. Programs funded under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act must censor information about contraception and condoms for the prevention of STDs and unintended pregnancy. Abstinence-Centered Education—Another term normally used to mean abstinence-only education. Comprehensive Sex Education teaches about abstinence as the best method for avoiding STDs and unintended pregnancy, but also teaches about condoms and contraception to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and of infection with STDs, including HIV. It also teaches interpersonal and communication skills and helps young people explore their own values, goals, and options. Abstinence-Based Education—Another term normally used to mean comprehensive sexuality education Abstinence-Plus Education—Programs which include information about contraception and condoms in the context of strong abstinence messages, sometimes the same as Comprehensive Sex Education.Abstinence-Centered EducationAbstinence-Plus Education
4Comprehensive Sex Education Covers the wide array of topics that affect sexuality and sexual health. It is grounded in evidence-based, peer-reviewed science. Its goal is to promote health and well-being in a way that is developmentally appropriate. It includes information and communication skills building as well as values exploration. Ideally, sex education in school is an integrated process that builds upon itself year after year, is initiated in kindergarten, and is provided through grade 12.
5Sexuality Education In Illinois sex education offered in grades 6-12 must include instruction on abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and STImust be medically accurate, developmentally and age appropriate, and completemust be evidence-based or substantially incorporate elements of evidence-based programsHB 2675 / SB 2354House Version: Passed Both Houses. To Governor. Not a Mandate – and IF, THENIf a school district chooses to provide sex education courses, curricula is required to be developmentally and age appropriate, medically accurate, evidence-based and complete. Requires comprehensive sex education offered in grades six through 12 to include instruction on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and STDs. Requires course material and instruction replicate evidence-based programs or substantially incorporate elements of evidence-based programs. Requires the State Board of Education to make available sex education resource materials. Allows parents to opt out.Requires existing sex education programs to teach medically accurate, developmentally and age appropriate, and complete information.Medically accurate means: information supported by accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals as accurate, objective and complete. For Example: Statistics on the rate of effectiveness for condoms in the prevention of HIV should reflect the information provided by organizations and agencies with recognized expertise in the field of sexual health, including but not limited to, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Age appropriate means: suitable to particular ages or age groups of children and adolescents, based on their developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity for age. Students in lower grades are provided with less detailed information about contraception than students in higher grades. For Example: In a 7th grade, students may learn that contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy whereas students in 11th grade, may get detailed information about each contraceptive method, including details on how each method works and instructions for use.Complete means: includes instruction on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
6Illinois Health Education Mandates with Sexual Health Connections Abandoned newborn infant protection (K-12)AIDS education (6-12)Cancer (K-12)Human growth and development (K-12)Child abduction prevention (K-8)Family life (K-12)Erin’s Law - Sexual abuse and assault awareness (PreK-12) Over ten years ago, the Illinois legislature enacted the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act, 325 ILCS 2 et. al., to allow distressed parents of an infant the ability to safely relinquish a newborn without the fear of civil or criminal penalties. under the law, the act "relinquishing a newborn infant to a hospital, police station, fire station, or emergency medical facility in accordance with this Act does not, by itself, constitute a basis for a finding of abuse, neglect or abandonment of the infant." This law is important because prior to its enactment, parents leaving an infant could, and most likely would, be prosecuted. The law also provides ways and means for a parent to petition for return of the infant prior to his or her rights being terminated.Despite the intervening years, many emotionally distressed parents may not be familiar with this option, and tragedies still occur.Teen Dating Violence –The school board of each public school district in this State shall adopt a policy that does all of the following:“States that teen dating violence is unacceptable and is prohibited and that each student has the right to a safe learning environment.”“Incorporate age appropriate education about teen dating violence into new or existing training programs for students in grades 7-12 and school employees, as recommended by the school officials identified ”The Illinois Parental Notice Law – 8/13A young person can have an abortion without getting the consent (permission) of a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion law requires their medical provider to notify an adult family member (over 21) 48 hours before performing the abortion.*They DO NOT have to tell anyone if:Either parent, any grandparent, a step-parent who lives with the young person, or a legal guardian goes to the doctor with the young person.Either parent, any grandparent, a step-parent who lives with the young person, or a legal guardian gives up their right to notice in writing.The young person gives their medical provider a written statement that says they are a victim of sexual abuse, neglect or physical abuse by either parent, any grandparent, a step-parent who lives with the young person or a legal guardian. If they provide a written statement, be aware that their medical provider may be required to report the abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services after the abortion.The doctor decides that there is a medical emergency.The young person is married, divorced or widowed. They must be at least 16 and have consent from both parents in order to get married in Illinois.They are emancipated. Their petition for emancipation must have been approved by a judge because they are at least 16 and can show that they are mature enough to manage their own affairs or they are a homeless minor in Illinois and fully or mostly independent of their parents or guardian.The young person gets a parental notice waiver from the court after a successful “judicial bypass” hearing.Sexual assault awareness, previously mandated for grades 9-12 is now broader in title and grade level.
7Go here to read the Executive Summary with Erin’s testimony –
8Sexuality Education Policy Mandated comprehensive sexual health educationK through 12Aligned with the National Sexuality Education StandardsAge appropriate for each grade levelInstruction about gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientationFeb new policyLessons provided to students in grades K-4 shall total a minimum of 300 minutes per school year addressing all four topic areas outlined in Section A of this Policy.Lessons provided to students in grades 5-12 shall total a minimum of 675 minutes per school year addressing all five topic areas outlined in Section A of this Policy.
9The Headlines CPS Mandates Sexual, Health Education For Kindergarten As Chicago Kids Head Back To School, Conservatives Freak Out About ‘Kindergarten Sex Ed’Obama Agreed With Mandating Sex Ed Classes for Kindergarten StudentsChicago Public Schools Mandate Sex Ed for KindergartenersChicago Passes Sex-Ed forKindergartners
10CPS Outline4th Gradephysical, social, and emotional aspects of puberty, causes of HIV transmission5th-12th Gradehuman reproduction, healthy decision-making and bullyingK-1st Gradeanatomy, healthy relationships, and personal safety2nd-3rd Gradegrowth and developmentDuring lessons about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections for 5th-12th grade, the benefits ofabstinence are emphasized throughout the entire lesson, but information about contraception is also included.The expanded requirements, including an “opt out” provision for parents who do not want their child to participate inthe program, are to be fully implemented in 2016 and will affect the approximately 400,000 students who comprise thethird largest public school system in the country
11Who Supports Comprehensive Sex Education American School Health AssociationAmerican Public Health AssociationAmerican Psychological AssociationYWCA of the USASociety for Adolescent MedicineGuttmacher InstituteAdvocates for YouthAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
12Opponents of Comprehensive Sex Education National Abstinence Education AssociationAmerican Family AssociationConcerned Women for AmericaFocus on the FamilyCitizens for Excellence in EducationMedical Institute for Sexual HealthFamily Research CouncilBruess and Schroeder, 6th editionCitizen’s groups typically not involved in education decision-making are often the opponents ranging from local conservative groupsto national organizations
13Voicing Parental/Community Concerns Parent Opt-Out“no pupil shall be required to take or participate in any class or course on AIDS or family life instruction if his parent or guardian submits written objection . . .”Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials