Insights[]
Pittsburgh School Board Changes Sex Education Curriculum[]
- February 24, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board changed how teachers in the district teach the birds and the bees in Feb 2009.
Prior, the district has an abstinence-only curriculum, which means students are told not having sex is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy. The district voted to change to an abstinence plus approach.
It gives students information about pregnancy prevention. Students would not be shown how to use contraceptives. Administrators are making the change because the city's teen birth rate is higher than nearby districts.
"It's not just about sex education. It's about understanding relationships at even a young age and I'm very glad to hear that that's what we're going to do," said School Board President Theresa Colaizzi.
Parents have the right to have their child opt out of any sex education portion of any health class.