Pennsylvania: Abstinence Key to City School's Sex Education Policy

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board voted Tuesday to adopt an abstinence-based comprehensive sex education curriculum, which will be implemented this fall. A 29-member panel of teachers, parents, administrators, and community leaders recommended the policy move after finding that sex education programs offered by schools varied. Parents will be able to opt their child out of the new lessons.

The board also voted to approve new materials for the health curriculum: "Teen Health" for middle school and "Making Life Choices" and "Family Life and Sexual Health" in high school.

"I would like to express my disappointment that the administration is quickly throwing this together," said Mark Brently Sr., the sole board member to vote against the curriculum change. "We as leaders should have engaged the public as to why this is important," said Randall Taylor, a member who supported the move with reservations in order to help female students. "I know our staff worked very closely with families and community members," responded Theresa Colaizzi, the board's president.

Back to other news for February 2009