I avoid writing blogs that focus primarily on someone else’s work. It goes against my values as an educator and a writer.
However, today is an exception.
Making available medically-accurate, comprehensive sex education (CSE) has become my life’s purpose. It continually boggles my mind that teaching students accurate information – about any subject – is even an issue in the 21st Century. When children enter a classroom our expectations are that children will be taught what is known to be accurate and true.
Why would sex ed/health be taught with lower standards than any other subject?
Aye aye aye
This morning my daughter forwarded this video by John Oliver (LastWeekTonight) on Rolling Stone.com. With a humorous approach he succinctly points out the issues concerning our current national sex ed curriculum.
The primary issue is…we do not have nationally recognized comprehensive standards in which all schools are required to use.
The National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES) exist, but many schools fear ruffling feathers among a few vocal parents opposed to CSE. This merely deprives the vast majority of eager learners from access to invaluable sexuality health information and decision-making skills. There are other issues of course, such as time restraints within the school’s curriculum, however the short time allowed for sex ed should be accurate, open, and honest. Kids need a safe, respectful space in which they are able to ask knowledgable adults about issues that are confusing and sometimes awkward.
Enjoy the video:
