More than a year after the Kelso School Board took up the issue
of expanding the district's sex education program, the board Monday
approved a policy that requires instruction about both abstinence
and contraception.
"This is the continuation of the direction we set a year ago,"
board President Mike Haas said Tuesday. "We think this will improve
the safety of our kids from a (sexually transmitted disease)
standpoint. It's going to be a good thing for Kelso."
In the past, the district has taught abstinence-only in the
prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. But
board members were concerned that kids weren't getting enough
information and Cowlitz County STD rates were continuing to
rise.
"If we can spend a little more time in the classroom talking
about these issues and educating these kids, I'm hopeful we can
have an impact on reducing those rates," Haas said.
Last winter and spring, the board held a series of public
workshops, seeking comments from health professionals, parents and
representatives from abstinence groups. Monday's approved policy
for health, family life and sex education grew out of those
discussions.
The policy directs school staff to adopt Washington's guidelines
for sex education, which advocates a comprehensive approach in the
prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
School staff also must develop curriculum and instruction
procedures, which must be approved by the school board. The public
may comment on the proposed curriculum when it comes before the
board, Haas said. No timetable was available Tuesday.
Parents and guardians also may preview the materials and have
the option of removing the children from those lessons.
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