California: Mt. Diablo Trustees to Discuss Health Ed

The Mt. Diablo, Calif., school board will consider the district's health education curriculum, including instruction about sex and HIV/AIDS, at its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 26. "We need to look at what's being taught, nail down what we want taught, and make it consistent districtwide," said board President Gary Eberhart, who participated in the district's health education task force. "We have a responsibility to ensure that students are given scientifically correct information regarding sex education and HIV education so that they can make informed decisions when it becomes necessary," he said.

Students in district middle and high schools are taught that abstinence is the best practice to prevent pregnancy, AIDS and other STDs. They are also taught how HIV is transmitted and about contraception. The district allows parents to exclude their children from lessons involving reproductive organs or reproduction, said curriculum specialist Sue Chambers. However, only a small percentage does so each year, she said.

Camille Giglio, who recently resigned as a community representative on the task force, is afraid that too much information about sex and contraceptives may lead students to disregard their parents' abstinence advice. She fears that resource lists for students may include information about where contraceptives may be obtained. "The parent should be the primary decision maker about what the child learns," she said.

"Giving kids the information they need so that they understand what they're getting themselves into is probably going to reduce the amount of sexual activity that's out there," said Eberhart. "And for the sexual activity that continues, it's going to make it safer," he said.

Parents can review the video and written materials that are used in sex and HIV/AIDS education Sept. 22-25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord. Tuesday's meeting will be held at the district office, 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, telephone 925-682-8000 ext. 4041.

Back to other news for August 25, 2003