School-Based Sex-related Education (SRE)

2. School-BasedSex-related Education (SRE) Estelle Watts, MSN, NCSN Christine Philley, M.Ed., CFCS Mississippi Department of Education Office of Healthy Schools

3. House Bill 999 Passed in the 2011 Legislation Session, requires Mississippi schools to implement a SRE program. Signed by Governor Barbour, March 16, 2011

4. Prevalence of Selected Sexual Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Mississippi Source: CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey

5. Teenage Birth Data • In 2006, 435,427 births occurred to mothers aged 15-19, a birth rate of 41.9 per 1,000 women in this age group. • In 2006, Mississippi was ranked the highest with a birth rate of 68.4 per 1000 • In 2008, 435,000 births occurred to mothers aged 15-19, a birth rate of 41.5 per 1,000 women in this age group. • In 2008, Mississippi was ranked the highest with a birth rate of 64.2 per 1000 • Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchc/datanvsr57/nsvr57_07.pdf

6. Impact of Teen Pregnancy on Mississippi Youth 2007 Ages 10-19 • Live Births 7,954 • Repeat Births 1,802 2008 Ages 10-19 • Live Births 7,310 • Repeat Births 1,702 2009 Ages 10-19 • Live Births 7,078 • Repeat Births 1,496

7. Adolescent Data • Approximately 140 babies were born to teenage mothers between the ages 10-14 in 2009. • Approximately 2,242 babies were born to teenage mothers between the ages 15-17 in 2009. • Available at http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/usphs/

8. Although 15-24 year olds make up just 15% of Mississippi's population, they represent: 76% of chlamydia cases 70% of gonorrhea cases

9. In 2009, Mississippi ranked #6 nationally in HIV infection case rates among the 40 states with confidential reporting. • 26% of HIV cases

10. HB999-SRE highlights • By July 2012, every school district must adopt a policy on: • Abstinence-only education, or • Abstinence-plus education • By August 2012, school districts must submit a selected policy, curriculum, and protocol for implementation to the Office of Healthy Schools • Instruction to begin no later than the start of 2012-13 school year.

11. HB999-SRE highlights • Boys and Girls must be separated for instruction • Requires written notice of inclusion/exclusion • School nurses responsible for implementation of program • No effort to teach abortion as a means to prevent birth • No instruction or demonstration on the application and use of condoms

12. Only or Plus: What’s the difference? • Abstinence education shall remain the state standard for any SRE taught in MS public schools  • Any SRE includes instruction or program provided at an appropriate age and grade

13. Abstinence Only—may include: • The teaching of social, psychological and health gains associated with abstinence; • the teaching of harmful consequences to adolescent sexual activity; • the teaching of skills to deal with unwanted sexual advances, including the role of alcohol and drug use; • the teaching of abstinence as the only way to avoid pregnancy, STD and related health problems; (continued)

14. Abstinence Only—may include: • discussion of condom and contraceptive use along with factual presentation of risks and failure rates; • the teaching of state law related to sexual conduct; and • the teaching that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the most healthy option.

15. Abstinence Plus • MUST include all the components listed above • Any programmatic curriculum that has been approved

16. Draft Implementation PlanStep 1: Best Practices • Program should be sequential in its scope and age appropriate. • Curriculum is medically accurate and meets the needs of students and the school district. • District data should be reviewed and considered. • Form a group of interested stakeholders including parents, community leaders and educators (health council) to give input on the plan, using the wellness policy as a guide • Communicate with parents and community regarding the direction of this implementation, being as transparent as possible.

17. Step 2: Answer these key questions: • Grade level where instruction will begin? • Who will provide instruction? • What curricula will be used? • Consider the logistics of separating boys and girls for instruction. • How will parent permission forms be handled?

18. Step 3: Develop District Plan to include: • Procedures for maintenance and dissemination of permission forms • Identification of staff who will be provide instruction • Separation of boys and girls, management of time and space, including students whose parents have opted out • Curriculum choices from the provided list of curricula • Policy development and Board adoption • Report choices to OHS by July 2012 • Begin implementation August 2012

19. Resources Available for You at www.healthyschoolsms.org • House Bill 999 • Draft Policies • Implementation Plan • Approved Resources • House Bill 999 District Reporting Form • House Bill 999 Supplemental Resources for Sex Education (RFP) • For technical assistance questions and reporting: ohshb999@mde.k12.ms.us

20. Additional Resources & Technical Assistance **A workgroup has convened to review curricula. This group includes representatives from MDE, district/school level, the community and MSDH. • Professional Development Trainings for instructors teachers, counselors and nurses were provided in September 2011 • Health In Action Lesson Plans www.activities.healthyschoolsms.org • Health Education Curriculum

23. For More Information Contact: Shalonda Matthews – SCmatthews@mde.k12.ms.us Estelle Watts – ewatts@mde.k12.ms.us Christine Philley – cphilley@mde.k12.ms.us Office of Healthy Schools Mississippi Department of Education 601-359-1737