Sexual Information Resources

Resources and Websites

1. National Conference of State Legislature provides state policies on sex education in schools.   Each state is listed separately. 
Reference
NCPS. (2012).  Guttmacher Institute.  State Policies on Sex Education in Schools.  Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/state-policies-on-sex-education-in-schools.aspx

2. Suggested Standards for  Sexual Education in Elementary Schools provides guidelines for what should be taught at each grade level.
Reference
Education.com. (2012).  Education.com., Inc. There's no place like home for sex education: 6th grade.  Retrieved from

/http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Theres_No_Place_6th

3. Montgomery County Public Schools has Grade 8 Comprehensive Health Education curriculum approved by the Board of Education.  The booklet states, "Teachers are directed to present the information in bold italic print as direct lecture and they are not to provide additional  information, interpretation, or examples."  In other words, teachers cannot add information or refuse to present certain parts.
Reference
Department of Education. (2005). Montgomery County Public Schools.   Grade 8 Health Education Curriculum - Revised.  Field Test – Spring 2005, Teacher’s Edition.  Retrieved from

http://www.teachthefacts.org/Grade8_Field_Test_Revised.pdf

4. Planned Parenthood provides information for teaching "medically accurate sexual education."  The websites states: "Comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality 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."  The information is based on research, not educator's interpretations.
Reference
Planned Parenthood. (2012).  Planned Parenthood. Tools for Educators.  Retrieved from

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/resources/implementing-sex-education-23516.htm

5. According to the University of Georgia, "States that offer abstinence-only education in public schools do not yield more abstinent students or less pregnancies" (p1).  However, if a student is abstinent, that student does not have to worry about STDs or pregnancies.  Many students are not told how to avoid peer pressure or the need to engage in sexual activity if they are not ready.  Parents hope their children know their values, but when they are in school, those values may be challenged.
Reference 
Rudow, H. (2011).  Counseling Today.  Teaching abstinence does not lead to abstinence. Retrieved fromhttp://ct.counseling.org/2011/11/teaching-abstinence-in-schools-does-not-lead-to-abstinence/

6. Circle of Moms provides information for parents about sex education. It also includes a forum where parents and educators can ask questions and dialogue about sexual education and STDs.
Reference
Sugar, Inc. (2012). Circle of moms, motherhood, shared, and simplified.  Should sex education be taught in public schools? why or why not?  Retrieved from

http://www.circleofmoms.com/young-moms-aged-20-30/should-sex-education-be-taught-in-public-schools-why-or-why-not-440700

7. RH Reality provides comprehensive information on various topics related to sexual education.  Lauren Bull, a sexual educator, states, " Every American will see that the real meaning of 'moral values' is protecting our youth. We will all want to equip them with the knowledge and tools to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections."  Her articles addresses two issues related to sexual education: that young people are engaging in sex at a younger age, and what happens when children do not listen.
Reference
Bull, L. (2008). RH Reality Check. Sexual Education in the Real World.  Retrieved from
 http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/01/09/sex-ed-in-the-real-world

Parents and The Talk

Parents, What Do You Want Your Children to Know About Sex? 

I began to write this section with a focus on high school students; however, times have changed.  Students in elementary school are engaging in sexual activity.  It does not matter where they learned it,  the fact is, some children, as young as eight and nine years old are having sex.  Some elementary schools are even issuing condoms to fifth graders.  Early puberty is creating situations unheard of even 10 years ago.  Many parents feel that sexual education should be taught in the home; however, many students are not getting the information, and schools must make some difficult decisions as they struggle to education students who have babies and HIV/AIDs.

For some parents, sexual education usually comes down to  one simple statement: "Don't get pregnant."  Many boys don't even get that.  Therefore, schools must provide information to help students navigate this very sensitive issue.  "The Talk" is an awkward topic for many parents; and many health teachers have to be careful about how they present their lessons.  Health and sexual education teachers have a curriculum; however, some parents may not give their children permission to attend these classes.  

Parents and educators need resources to help young people stay informed about their bodies and their sexuality.  States are approaching this topic in different ways.

STD!

Sexual Education and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Screening

My school decided to provide a sexual education forum.  There were skits, panels of experts provided information about healthy relationships, and a nurse used a banana to demonstrate the appropriate way to put on a condom.  The forum created a dialogue that helped students to think of their sexual behavior.  The following week, an STD screening was provided for students on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

On the day of the screening,  the nurses sent out mass emails to faculty members about how the screening would be conducted.  Teachers were told to be discreet when issuing passes for students to go down to the wellness center.  We were not to make any announcements in our classrooms (for instance, "Who wants to go down to the wellness center for the STD screening?").  I knew many teachers who would do just that, so all of us had to be told.  Teachers were to be discreet and simply ask if anyone wanted a pass.  We were to send students down one at a time with the special passes.  Students already knew about the testing, so discretion was the key.  I sent several students down and went on to teach my class.

A few minutes later, one of the assistant principals made an announcement over the intercom: "Teachers, please do not send any more students down to the wellness center.  There are too many students waiting to see the nurses, and the center is overwhelmed!  The team will be returning tomorrow."  When my students came back to my class, they looked disappointed because they could not see the nurse.  They told me that the line for the wellness center had gone down the hall, out the front door, and into the parking lot!

I listened quietly as my students told me their reasons for wanting to visit the wellness center:  they were afraid, especially since they had attended the sexual education forum.  A few boys said they wanted to be screened because they had not been careful, and they wanted to be sure.  Some girls said they had cheating boyfriends.  One girl said she already had a baby, and if she had a child, she could have easily gotten an STD.  Another girl had two children, and her first child was born when she was in middle school.  She wanted information about birth control.

 As they spoke, I remembered walking down the hall when classes were changing.   I heard one girl tell another, "I know he's my baby's daddy, but I only went with him for a week, and I don't like him any more!"  I wondered if she had gone for a screening.  Students who had not planned to go to the wellness center said they would go the next day. 

HABITS OF MIND

I teach English Composition at a small technical college.  My students plan to become chefs, medical assistants, and IT specialists.  Some of my students do not contact me when they are going to be absent or tardy.  Others text or check emails during class.  A few leave early or do not return after taking a break.  Many of my students are easily discouraged.  Some students must develop their listening skills; and others are easily distracted.  As a result, they make careless mistakes.  Those students must learn to be professionals; and college is the place where they can make their mistakes.  I tell students that learning a skill is not enough; they must develop Habits of Mind.  What are the Habits of Mind?  They are “an identified set of 16 problem solving, life related skills, necessary to effectively operate in society and promote strategic reasoning, insightfulness, perseverance, creativity and craftsmanship” (Costa, 2000). 


The following links will help you to understand the Habits of Mind.:


http://www.eed.state.ak.us/nclb/2010wc/Habits_of_Mind_Summary.pdf


http://www.chsvt.org/wdp/Habits_of_Mind.pdf


http://www.grrec.ky.gov/Thoughtfuled_files/Cadre2/Habits_of_Mind1.pdf

MOTIVATIONAL WEBSITES

Student Motivation

The drop-out rate is high in the black community, and I often wonder why black students are not doing better. I told black students they lived in a country where everything was available for them. A girl shook her head and said, "It doesn't matter if you can't see it."  However, black students are not the only ones who are unable to see it; many students lack motivation.  They are easily discouraged and they are quick to give up.  This site contains many resources for motivating students in all education settings.  It also has valuable links and resources for educators.
Reference
Iowa State University. (2012). NDT Resource Center. Classroom Tips. Motivating Students. Retrieved from http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Motivating_Students.htm

Too many people, with limited vision, are quick to kill your dreams.  Don't let them! 

This is a great motivational video!  It is about  famous celebrities who got discouraging words, but they kept on going!  You'll never guess who they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tjYoKCBYag&feature=email