North Carolina teachers are preparing for
new sex education classes that will give students more information
about contraceptives than in previous years.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Sunday that the 2009
Healthy Youth Act requires schools to give students access to more
information on sexually transmitted diseases and sexual assault as
part of a revised sex-education program.
The law marks a change from an abstinence-only policy previously
used to guide schools' sex ed classes.
State Rep. Susan Fisher helped pushed through the legislation.
The Buncombe Democrat says students will still be taught that
abstinence is the best defense against sexually transmitted
diseases, but they also will be taught how to protect themselves.
The goal is to reduce teen pregnancy and boost graduation rates.
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