Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Besides continuing the state requirement for instruction to help pupils prevent HIV/AIDS infection, the bill sets standards of "age-appropriate" education for avoiding other sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. The "comprehensive" approach means providing accurate information about contraception methods as well as the preventive certainty offered by abstinence. Pupils are encouraged to communicate with parents about sexuality.
The instruction must not promote bias or religion.
Tidying up the maze of conflicting statutes on the subject should help the 87 percent of schools that voluntarily provide sex education. It also might reduce a notably high rate of teenage pregnancy.
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