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The Healthy Youth Act of 2009 S.L. 2009-213. Jones County Public Schools Principals Meeting Trenton Elementary School November 6, 2009. Health Education, G.S. 115c-81(e).
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The Healthy Youth Act of 2009S.L. 2009-213 Jones County Public Schools Principals Meeting Trenton Elementary School November 6, 2009
Health Education, G.S. 115c-81(e) • Each school system must provide a comprehensive School Health Education program meeting the Healthy Youth Act’s requirements and the State Board of Education’s objectives. • The focus is on health and safety. • Local Boards of Education may expand, but not diminish, instructional areas and objectives. • Program begin in the 7th Grade. • This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.
Requirements of Healthy Youth Act Each school must offer instruction in sexuality education: Abstinence and Abstinence-Plus
Abstinence • Focuses on remaining abstinent until marriage, benefits of abstinence, and abstinence as the most effective means of preventing pregnancy and STDS. • Instructional objectives do not include other methods of preventing or reducing the risk of pregnancy or STDS. • Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all school-age children.
Abstinence • Uses the same instructional objectives as before. • Has new standards for materials >Age-appropriate >Objective and based on peer-reviewed research “accepted by professional and credentialed experts in the field of sexual health education.” • Diminishes State Board’s role >Materials, objectives available for review by parents.
Abstinence-Plus • Includes all elements of abstinence-only option and the same standards for instructional materials. • Teaches about STDs, including FDA-approved methods of prevention, includes information on local resources for testing and medical care. • Teachers about effectiveness and safety of all FDA approved contraceptive methods of preventing pregnancy.
Curriculum Also Teaches… • Present techniques and strategies to deal with peer pressure and offering positive reinforcement. • Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain means of avoiding out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases when transmitted through sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, and other associated health and emotional problems. • Teaches the positive benefits of abstinence until marriage and the risks of premarital sexual activity. • Provides opportunities that allow for interaction between the parent or legal guardian and the student.
Curriculum Also Teaches… • Awareness of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and risk reduction. The instruction and materials shall: >Focus on healthy relationships >Teaches students what constitutes sexual assault and sexual abuse, the causes of those behaviors, and risk reduction. • Inform students about resources and reporting procedures if they experience sexual assault or sexual abuse. • Examine common misconceptions and stereotypes about sexual assault and sexual abuse.
Parental Choice • Board policy must provide opportunities, either for parents and legal guardians, to consent or to withhold their consent to students’ participation. • Parents must have an opportunity to review instructional materials before deciding.
Other Provisions of G.S. 115-C-81 (e) • No distribution of contraceptives on school property. • Explanation of the difference between risk reduction and risk elimination through abstinence. • Effectiveness and failure rates of methods of preventing pregnancy and STDs in actual use among adolescent populations.
Related Statutes • Provide parents and guardians with information about: >Cervical Cancer; >Cervical Dysplasia; >Human Papillomavirus (HPV); and, >the vaccine to prevent these diseases. [G.S. 115C-47(51)] • Provide students in grades Nine through Twelve with information on the manner in which a parent may lawfully abandon a newborn baby. [G.S. 115C-47(52]
Related Statues(continued) • Minor’s consent sufficient for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of: >Venereal disease and other diseases reportable under G.S. 130A-135. >Pregnancy >Abuse of controlled substances or alcohol, and >Emotional disturbance under G.S. 90-21.5