assignment 2

 
What are the types of Sexual Health Education Program delivery methods in Mississippi?
House Bill 999 is a new sex education law, passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2011, requiring schools to adopt a sex education policy (They were required to have adopted one of the two policies by June 30, 2012).  The two policies the schools have been required to adopt are either “abstinence-plus” or “abstinence-only.” This new law contains the implementation requirements that all school districts must follow including but not limited to the following:  Separation of girls and boys for sex education classes, and the requirement that parents “opt-in” their child for sexual education classes.  The bill has been reapproved for 5 more years as of Summer 2016. 
Click on the following links to gain a better understanding of the House Bill 999 passed by Mississippi Legislature, and what requirements are mandated to the school districts by the Mississippi Department of Education:
HB 999 Link: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2011/pdf/HB/0900-0999/HB0999SG.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
National studies show that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs have been woefully ineffective in reducing teen birth and sexually transmitted infection rates. Students that complete these programs are as likely as their peers to engage in sexual activity before marriage and are less likely to use contraceptives when they do become sexually active.  Conversely, comprehensive sex education programs can delay sexual initiation and reduce risky sexual behaviors, such as engaging in sex with multiple partners and having unprotected sex.
PREP is a program, designed by the Mississippi State Department of Health to work with individual school districts to create customized intervention and education programs; these programs are designed to address the prevention of teen pregnancy and STDs.  Also, the goal of the programs is to empower adolescents with the knowledge to make safer reproductive health choices that will prevent the spread of STDs. 
Assignment:
Based on this week’s review of articles and videos, write a 1-page summary of the 2 options school districts are able to select. What type of sexual education did you receive? Was it effective. In your opinion, what is the best approach to teaching teenagers about sexuality?