North Carolina: House Moves Sex Education Bill

The state House on Wednesday approved by a 64-53 vote a bill that would allow parents of seventh- through ninth-graders to choose the sex education curriculum their child receives. The choice would be between an abstinence-only curriculum that all but 10 districts now teach in North Carolina, or an abstinence-based comprehensive curriculum. School officials would have to make course materials available for parents to review before their choice, and the children of parents who choose neither curriculum would receive neither course of instruction.

The bill, which faces another House vote before it advances to the Senate, does not establish any particular curriculum. However, it specifies abstinence principles for both tracks. In the abstinence-only curriculum, students would be taught that abstinence outside of marriage is the expected norm for school-age youths. In the comprehensive track, students would be taught abstinence is the only certain way to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancy.

"I believe there is a health crisis in North Carolina concerning our teens with respect to pregnancy and [STDs]," said Rep. Bob England (D-Ellenboro), a physician and bill co-sponsor. "One important way to bring these numbers down is education." "Abstinence is not what students are doing," said Rep. Alma Adams (D-Greensboro), the bill's sponsor. Bill proponents said the series of steps and hearings required to implement a comprehensive curriculum under current state law are too much of a burden.

The mostly Republican opponents of the bill said the current policy provides students enough information about sexuality, including about the pros and cons of contraceptive methods. "The local communities are not making the decisions the sponsors of this bill would like," said Rep. Thom Tillis (R-Charlotte).

[Editor's note: On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the measure passed a second House vote 62-52 and now advances to the Senate.]

Back to other news for April 2009