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Sexuality Education in Colorado Schools. The Inside Story. Results & Recommendations from the 2009 HIV Prevention & Sexuality Education Assessment. Objectives. Describe content and delivery of sexuality education in Colorado classrooms
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Sexuality Education in Colorado Schools The Inside Story Results & Recommendations from the 2009 HIV Prevention & Sexuality Education Assessment
Objectives • Describe content and delivery of sexuality education in Colorado classrooms • Describe examples of sexuality education policies in Colorado • Identify recommendations from the assessment that can be used locally
Agenda • Introductions • True / False Activity • COAPPP’s Assessment of HIV Prevention and Sex Ed in CO Schools: An Overview • Small Group Activity
Background 2007: Content Standards for the Instruction of Human Sexuality (HB 07-1292) Questions by schools about effective programs and laws What is really going on in Colorado classrooms and school districts? RFA to Assess Unmet Needs in HIV Prevention (CDPHE )
Assessment Purpose To assess the amount of sexuality and HIV prevention education and policies being implemented throughout Colorado Determine if the education and policies meet the standards of HB 07-1292.
Existing Data: • Every 1.5 hours a baby is born to a CO teen • <50% of all new HIV cases in US occur among people under 25 yrs old • Less CO teens have received HIV education in schools than teens nationally • 35 states and DC mandate HIV education and 20 states and DC mandate sex ed (not CO)
Existing Data: Colorado School Health Profiles • 73% of schools teach HIV prevention, 70% teach sexuality education • % Schools in which teachers taught the following topics in a required course in HS: • Benefits of abstinent: 79% • Efficacy of condoms: 72% • Importance of using condoms correctly: 68% • How to obtain condoms: 60%
Existing Data: Colorado School Health Profiles Professional Development (PD): • 68% of teachers WANT to receive PD on HIV prevention and human sexuality • However in the last 2 years: • 20% of teachers received PD on HIV • 29% of teachers received PD on human sexuality
Three arm approach included: Online school district HIV/AIDS and sex ed policy search Online survey (developed through Survey Monkey) Telephone key informant interviews Analysis: Rural respondent vs. urban respondent comparative analysis using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Methods
Policy Search: 41 School Districts in 34 Counties Online Survey: 97 rural respondents representing 37 rural school districts 44 urban respondents representing 10 urban school districts Guided Interviews: 10 interviews Participation
Large majority (over 80%) have policies on HIV Prevention and/or Sexuality Education None limit the instruction of sexuality or HIV/AIDS education Participants state that HIV prevention education is NOT implemented in the classroom as policies dictates. Lack of funding, training, and general support for delivery of programs Summary of Findings: Policies
People THINK their programs are aligned with HB 07-1292. Over 91% rural and 74% urban respondents state their programs are medically accurate, age appropriate, and science-based However: 30-50% report schools DO NOT deliver instruction on benefits/potential side effects of condoms, contraception, EC, or HPV vaccine. Only 58% of urban participants stated they consider their sex ed. to be culturally sensitive. Summary of Findings: Content
Most report that HIV or sex ed is part of another course (health class). Urban (63%) and rural (59%) stated that their school spends “too little time” on sex ed. Only 24% of urban and 41% of rural stated that non-English speaking students receive instruction on HIV and/or sex ed. Of those, 43% of urban and 60% of rural state that non-English speaking students receive the instruction in English. Summary of Findings: Delivery
Most (over 80%) don’t’ know how often the instructor receives professional development related to sexuality and or HIV/AIDS education 6% of urban and 15% of rural participants state that the instructor receives PD less than once every 6 years 24% of urban and 6% of rural participants state the instructor receives PD once a year. Summary of Findings: Professional Development
Caveats: Not a formal research study Limitations: Total time line was 6 months Participation Recall bias Not generalizable for entire state of Colorado Caveats and Limitations
Recommendation #1 • Provide frequent & ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers • Only 20% of middle & high schools received trainings in the last 2 years • 68% would like to receive trainings on HIV prevention & human sexuality
Recommendation #2 • Increase or improve access to mental health & health services in both rural and urban schools • HIV testing, family planning, immunizations & mental health & substance abuse services minimal in schools • Of 22 high school-based health centers, only 59% provide contraceptive services
Recommendation #3 • Identify or designate an appropriate state agency to oversee implementation of HB 07-1292 • Participants stated confusion around the law & concern about compliance • Oversight would provide consistency on programming & evaluation = health indicators could be measured over time
Recommendation #4 • Mandate science-based HIV prevention and/or sexuality education in all Colorado schools • 60% of CO 12th graders report having had sex • 35 states & District of Columbia have laws mandating STI/HIV education; 20 states & DC mandate sexuality education
COAPPP’s Next Steps • Continue efforts to promote effective science-based programs • Provide technical assistance • Serve the needs of rural schools and communities • Increase awareness and support for effective and science-based programs
Small Group Activity • Small group activity: • Based on what you know about your community: • Which recommendation is a priority to address? • Which recommendation is most feasible to address? • What would be the first steps to address this recommendation? • Who would you need to include?
Contact Shannon Sainer (ssainer@coappp.org) or Stefanie Winfield (swinfield@coappp.org) 303-225-8870 www.coappp.org Thank You!