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Few attend first forum on student sex survey
A handful of people showed up to a question-and-answer session hosted by the Monroe County Community School Corp. regarding its sex survey of students - far fewer than organizers anticipated when they planned the public forum. The forum was conducted to answer any questions parents might have about the questions and what will happen with the results. A second forum will take place 7 to 8 p.m. today at Bloomington High School North. The survey will be given in the coming weeks to students in seventh through 12th grades whose parents have given written permission. By the summer, MCCSC hopes to have a clear of idea of how many students are engaging in sexual activities and how it can tailor its sexual education curriculum to address necessary issues. Alicia Graves, whose daughter is in kindergarten, decided to attend the forum because she was curious to see what other parents thought of the survey. But the paltry attendance didn't give her an answer, she said. "It's not enough to tell," she said. Partners Kevin Woodruff and Amy Taylor - wearing a "Just say Know!" pin - teach sex education classes with a local church, and they voiced their opposition to abstinence-only curricula. "I think that abstinence-only programs grossly underestimate youth attitudes about sexuality today," Woodruff said. "(Students) get valid information, but it's not sufficient ." Taylor said. "Young adults I have dealt with who come through the system (feel that system) didn't sufficiently give them enough information to make the best decisions." Jennifer Staab, MCCSC healthy schools coordinator, said the district's curriculum is abstinence-based, not abstinence-only, and that it's state law to have an "abstinence-based" curriculum. "I think we can always do more," she said. Woodruff and Taylor also cited the need to educate students more about preventing sexually transmitted diseases; alternative lifestyle choices, hate crimes and peer pressure. Questioning the questionnaireWhy this survey? The goals of this survey are to gather accurate information about sexual attitudes, knowledge and behavior; reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy; increase parent and community awareness; get grants; improve sex education; encourage community conversation. What is "active permission?" Active permission means parents have to sign a letter - due back to schools next week - saying they give permission for their children to take the survey, or the child won't be given the survey at school. Will answers be honest? Research shows that the same number of students lie "up or down." The trend data analysis is dependable. Can a student decline? Yes. And the student can stop taking the survey at any time. When will it be given? It will be given during school hours, and beyond that, it will be left up to the individual school. What will students do during that time if they're not taking the survey? Whatever they normally do during that time. For more information, Call or e-mail Jennifer Staab, MCCSC healthy schools coordinator, at 330-7719 or jstaab@mccsc.edu.
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