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May 31, 2018 · She and other experts say educators should actively support effective sex education in a number of ways – by teaching sex education and addressing related issues in the classroom, advocating for strong programs district wide and by supporting students who are increasingly seeking straightforward information.
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What is school-based sex education?
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- Overview
- What is sexual health education?
- How can schools deliver sexual health education?
- What are the benefits of delivering sexual health education to students?
- What does delivering sexual health education look like in action?
- For More Information
- References
CDC’s What Works In Schools Program improves the health and well-being of middle and high school students by:
•Improving health education,
•Connecting young people to the health services they need, and
•Making school environments safer and more supportive.
Sexual health education should be consistent with scientific research and best practices; reflect the diversity of student experiences and identities; and align with school, family, and community priorities.
Quality sexual health education programs teach students how to:1
•Analyze family, peer, and media influences that impact health
•Access valid and reliable health information, products, and services (e.g., STI/HIV testing)
•Communicate with family, peers, and teachers about issues that affect health
•Make informed and thoughtful decisions about their health
•Take responsibility for themselves and others to improve their health.
*High-risk substance use is any use by adolescents of substances with a high risk of adverse outcomes (i.e., injury, criminal justice involvement, school dropout, loss of life). This includes misuse of prescription drugs, use of illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens, or ecstasy), and use of injection drugs...
Schools can put these four elements in place to support sex ed.
•Implement policies that foster supportive environments for sexual health education.
•Use health content that is medically accurate, developmentally appropriate, culturally inclusive, and grounded in science.
•Equip staff with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver sexual health education.
Check out CDC’s tools and resources below to develop, select, or revise SHE curricula.
•Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT), Module 6: Sexual Health [PDF – 70 pages]. This module within CDC’s HECAT includes the knowledge, skills, and health behavior outcomes specifically aligned to sexual health education. School and community leaders can use this module to develop, select, or revise SHE curricula and instruction.
1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool, 2021, Atlanta: CDC; 2021.
2.Goldfarb, E. S., & Lieberman, L. D. (2021). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(1), 13-27.
3.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum.
4.Pampati, S., Johns, M. M., Szucs, L. E., Bishop, M. D., Mallory, A. B., Barrios, L. C., & Russell, S. T. (2021). Sexual and gender minority youth and sexual health education: A systematic mapping review of the literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(6), 1040-1052.
5.Szucs, L. E., Demissie, Z., Steiner, R. J., Brener, N. D., Lindberg, L., Young, E., & Rasberry, C. N. (2023). Trends in the teaching of sexual and reproductive health topics and skills in required courses in secondary schools, in 38 US states between 2008 and 2018. Health Education Research, 38(1), 84-94.
6.Coyle, K., Anderson, P., Laris, B. A., Barrett, M., Unti, T., & Baumler, E. (2021). A group randomized trial evaluating high school FLASH, a comprehensive sexual health curriculum. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(4), 686-695.
Oct 16, 2021 · School-based sex education in the U.S. is at a crossroads. The United Nations defines sex education as a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality
Aug 5, 2021 · Just 8.2% of students said they received LGBTQ-inclusive sex education, according to LGBTQ education nonprofit GLSEN's National School Climate Survey in 2019. It's not shocking when you uncover...
Mar 4, 2021 · Sexual education can be defined as any combination of learning experiences aimed at facilitating voluntary behavior conducive to sexual health.
- María Lameiras-Fernández, Rosana Martínez-Román, María Victoria Carrera-Fernández, Yolanda Rodríguez...
- 10.3390/ijerph18052555
- 2021
- 2021/03
May 25, 2024 · Ali Rogin: The Centers for Disease Control defines quality sexual education as medically accurate developmentally appropriate culturally relevant content that promotes healthy development but...
Provide guidance for schools when designing and delivering sex education K–12 that is planned, sequential, and part of a comprehensive school health education approach. Provide a clear rationale for teaching sex education content and skills at different grade levels that is.
