Students in Illinois sex education classes can no longer be taught that abstinence is the expected norm before marriage.
Photo by Roger Starkey
Illinois Public Act 098-0441 requires all school districts in the state that teach sex education to incorporate contraception into the curriculum. Prior to Jan. 1, 2014, state law required districts to emphasize abstinence. Classroom materials and instruction were to place emphasis on pupils refraining from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage.
The new law requires emphasis on both contraception and abstinence for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence shall be emphasized as “a responsible and positive decision and is the only protection that is 100 percent effective against unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually.”
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment in Unit 10, Vicki Reulecke, said the current Collinsville High School curriculum clearly states that contraception and abstinence are to be covered. The middle school curriculum was a little less clear, Reulecke said, but it was determined that no changes are needed at Collinsville Middle School.
Course material and instruction under the new law must be medically accurate and complete. It must also replicate evidence-based programs, or substantially incorporate elements of evidence based programs.
Medically accurate is defined as “verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals, if applicable, or comprising information recognized as accurate, objective and complete.”
An evidence-based program, the law notes, is a a program for which systematic, empirical research or evaluation has provided evidence of effectiveness.
Schools in Illinois are not required to teach sex education. Students can choose to opt out of sex education at schools that do offer the instruction.
