Thorough evaluations of comprehensive sexuality education programs show that, compared to youth with no sex education, youth who receive comprehensive sexuality education:

• Are older when they start having sex
• Have sex less frequently.
• Have fewer sexual partners.

In fact, studies show that countries that provide quality comprehensive sexuality education have dramatically lower rates of teen pregnancy, abortion, and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.¹

Key Concepts

Comprehensive sexuality education is much more than anatomy and the physical act of sex. And it targets more than just high school students. Effective sexuality education is about a whole host of important life lessons for people throughout the lifespan, as well as for youth K-12.

The Sexuality Education and Information Council of the United States (SIECUS) has identified 6 key concepts that must be included in effective comprehensive sexuality education.² These include:

• Human development
• Relationships
• Personal skills
• Sexual behavior
• Sexual health
• Society and culture

By including these key concepts, individuals can gain knowledge, build skills, and explore and understand values and attitudes.

These lessons can be taught in a wide variety of settings and should be integrated into overall health education. Gaining the support of the community, including school districts, city councils and community organizations is essential.

Teacher Training

One of the most critical factors for effective comprehensive sexuality education is adequate teacher training. Teaching these topics can be a difficult task for anyone. And it’s a lot to ask of teachers and other community leaders who are already trying to meet so many other educational requirements.

Many adults who provide sexuality education have received little or no training on how to educate youth on these oftentimes sensitive subject matters. Few school teachers responsible for sexuality education have received formal training in the subject.³

CFHC believes that in order to provide effective education on sexuality, educators must be able to understand their own values and beliefs, as well as honor and respect the values and beliefs of their students. It’s equally important for educators to have knowledge of how to teach about sexuality. They should be able to use various teaching tools and methods such as interactive discussions and role plays, which allow learners to explore societal and personal values and attitudes.

When educators have this type of training, they can provide accurate, unbiased information that can help teens make healthy decisions. This results in the best outcomes for everyone.

Models of Teacher Training

CFHC has collaborated with numerous organizations to train teachers and others professionals on how to work with youth on issues of sex and sexuality. Since 2001, CFHC has facilitated a statewide effort to train teachers and other professionals using the curriculum, Reducing Teen Pregnancy: Helping Teens Make Healthy Decisions. In addition, in 2008, CFHC worked closely with the Idaho State Department of Education to create a series of three regional two-day training of trainer workshops.

The Idaho training model had two primary intentions:

1. Help teachers gain the knowledge and skills to provide basic components of sexuality education in the schools, and
2. Provide teachers with ready-made modules to use with students in their classrooms.

The training model included activities to help teachers put their values into perspective, and then to put those in the context of teaching. This also helped them understand the broader context of sexual development and how their students (and themselves!) fall into a sexual development timeline.

The Idaho training model also provided a curriculum with ready-made sections on birth control methods, healthy sexuality, STDs, and relationships. Each module included activity guides, activity materials, and resources. Educators participated in each activity and then discussed the good and bad things about the module, as well as how they would need to change the activity to work with their youth, keeping in mind social and cultural considerations.

For More Information

Trained teachers who can talk about the many aspects of human sexuality are essential to providing quality sexuality education to our youth. If you would like to receive training on providing comprehensive sexuality education, contact the CFHC training department at training@cfhc.org or by phone at (213) 386-5614 ext. 4580.

For more information on comprehensive sexuality education, visit Siecus.org.

Sources

1. (2008). Adolescent Sexual Health in Europe and the U.S. – Why the Difference? (PDF) Advocates for Youth. Washington , DC. Accessed on March 11, 2009
2. (2004). Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, 3 rd Ed. SIECUS. New York, NY.
3. (1996). Teaching our Teachers to Teach. SIECUS. New York, NY.

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