Henrico students urge overhaul of sex education (very impressive- *good read*)

[underpants]

Published: May 15, 2009

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/HENS15_20090514-222621/267853/

When it comes to sex education, saying no simply isn't enough anymore for some Henrico County students.

Henrico's Student Congress -- a body consisting of 150 representatives from nine high schools -- thinks schools need to offer more information relevant to today's teens in required family-life classes. The nine high schools enroll about 14,700 students.

"We consider this the most dire issue that's ever been brought before the School Board," said Emily Rhodes, a senior at Douglas Freeman High School.

Currently, students take an abstinence-based family-life curriculum in grades 4 through 10, with opt-out practices. The lessons follow the state Standards of Learning for Family Life requirements, which include human reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, stress management, and parenting skills.

Schools cannot expand on the information laid out in the SOLs, and the county cannot expand the curriculum to a contraceptive-health-based education without a change in state law.

Student Congress members have drafted a letter to local elected officials supporting a change.

First, the students would like a list of crisis hot lines and resources added to the county schools' Web pages for students, HCPSLink and SchoolSpace.

The committee also wants to see more information on abusive relationships. "We feel strongly that there should be information on date rape," Rhodes said.

Students also advocate giving parents more information and "talking tips" to initiate often-difficult conversations with children.

And, as a possible way around state law, students asked the School Board to consider elective courses in the 11th and 12th grades.

"We realize this is a controversial issue," Rhodes said. "Five percent of parents will be strongly vocal against it." But, she said, the board should consider the other 95 percent and the changing needs of students.

School Board members were enthusiastic about the students' presentation. Diana D. Winston, the Three Chopt representative, said she especially liked the suggestion to list crisis hot lines and resources on schools' Web sites.

"For anybody worried about the future, you should come watch these people," schools Superintendent Fred Morton IV said.

Other topics the Student Congress addressed yesterday include a desire to change the grading scale, differentiating the weight of honors versus Advanced Placement classes, a districtwide recycling program, specialty center rankings, and changing the school-day hours.