- April 24, 2024
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Sixth graders will be among the students soon to be asked questions such as, "Are you sexually active?" and "Would
you take a condom from the clinic at your school if it were offered to you?"
Parents can have their children opt out by signing a form.
According to School Board Policy 204, in compliance with State Statute 1003.46, all Flagler County schools are presently to adhere to an “abstinence only” sexual education curriculum. The policy states: “Teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school-age children while teaching the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage ... ”
But that could be about to change.
After being presented the district’s teen-sex and sexually transmitted disease statistics, which School Board member Colleen Conkling called “staggering” (Click here to read the full story about Flagler County’s teen sex statistics), the School Board is considering expanding the policy to “abstinence plus.”
This policy could include education on birth control, more extensive education on sexually transmitted diseases and human sexuality issues.
The board is currently conducting an optional, multiple-choice survey of parents, students (sixth grade and up) and community members to collect data as they prepare to vote on whether their education standard should be amended.
Here is a list of the survey questions:
1. What is your age?
2. Are you sexually active?
3. If you answered YES to question 2, at what age did you have your first sexual experience?
4. If you answered YES to question 2, did you use condoms?
5. If you did not use condoms, what was the main reason?
6. Do you know someone your age who is sexually active?
7. Would you take a condom from the clinic at your school if it were offered to you?
8. Do you think schools should teach more information about having sex and what to do to stay healthy?
9. In what grade do you think students should start to be taught about making safer choices about sex?
10. Any other comments or ideas about this topic?
To complete the survey, visit the following links:
- Parent Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BMWZS7K
- Community Member Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGCRQC6
All students, parents and community members are invited to a public forum 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, April 7, to discuss the results.
