NEA urges
accurate health education
Censorship in abstinence-only
programs is placing youth at risk
Washington, D.C. -- The National Education Association (NEA), with the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), is hosting an October 9th breakfast briefing on the impact of abstinence-only education on teachers and students.
The federal government spends more than $120 million on abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Yet, these programs restrict classroom discussions and censor teachers’ ability to respond to student questions on vital issues such as contraception and disease prevention. NEA, through its Health Information Network, stresses medically accurate sex education that includes information on abstinence, family planning, and problems associated with preteen and teenage pregnancies. NEA urges increased federal funding for such comprehensive programs.
"We know the students most likely to avoid sexual activity are the ones who receive factual, complete information from adults they can trust," said Jerald Newberry, executive director of the health and safety arm of the NEA.
Mary O'Brien, a high school teacher from Brick, N.J., will discuss how providing quality information and having honest conversations with her students improves their health and well-being.
The hour-long briefing, which will highlight recent reviews of abstinence-only programs, begins Thursday, October 9th at 9 a.m. in Room B-339 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
For more information, contact:
Anjetta McQueen, NEA Public Relations 202-822-7251 amcqueen@nea.org
Kathleen Lyons, NEA Public Relations 202-822-7213 klyons@nea.org
October 8, 2003
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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.
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