2nd Blog Posting

Anthony

Topic: Education

Title: New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect

Author: Yasmeen Khan

Publisher: NY Times

Date: 1/30/12

Length of article: 2 pages

In New York, Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced in August that public middle schools and high schools would be required to fold sex education lessons into existing health classes, which already cover topics like nutrition, physical activity and preventing injuries.  Some districts took extra steps, and many schools voluntarily added sexual health to their curriculums, including here in New York City. But not all of them.  That led to concerns by advocates of sex education, including Planned Parenthood, that the city lacked a consistent approach.

The new sex education mandate takes effect this spring term, which begins on Tuesday for high school students.  However, some parent groups have criticized the city’s new policy, saying it is too graphic or that they would prefer abstinence-only lessons. Parents who object to lessons on birth control and preventing S.T.D.’s can write a letter to their child’s principal to opt out of some classes. The letter must stipulate that students will receive that instruction at home.

CONCLUSION

Sex education will be mandated in public middle and high schools of New York.  However, parents may have their children opt out of certain topics as long as they themselves teach their children at home.  In these middle and high schools, health classes must be taught by a licensed health teacher, and the Office of School Wellness program is offering free training for teachers and administrators.