How Can the Wake County Public School System Deliver a Comprehensive Sexual Health Curriculum for all Students Under Current North Carolina Laws?

Research Paper Executive Summary Presentation Slides

Introduction

Wake County Public School System is the biggest school district in the state of North Carolina. A lack of a comprehensive sexual health curriculum like in the WCPSS for all students has reprecussions on their physical health. It can lead to STIs, pregnancies, and prevent the LGBTQ+ community from getting specific information for their needs during intimate relationships.

More than their physical health, the lack of comprehensive sexual health curriculum also impacts the mental health of students. Therefore, their academics and professional achievements are impacted as well. It also increases school bullying among sexual minority subgroups.

In 2018, North Carolina, young people accounted for 66% of new Chalmydia diagnoses and 48% of new Gonorrhea diagnoses.
Number of pregnancies in North Carolina in 2019 among 15-19 year old girls accounted for 7,749.
In Wake County high schools, teachers, nurses, or guest speakers are not permitted to give information about contraceptives and abortion referral services to students
ShiftNC study found negative consequences for the LGBTQ+ students in Wake County due to lack of specific information for their needs.
Health Educators from the Poe Center fo not demonstrate the proper use of condoms.

Policy Reccomendations

Creation and distribution of comprehensive sex education resources for all students, including LGBTQ+ students, in the form of brochures

Brochures should be distributed to all students and be available in teacher, admin, and guidance counselor's offices.

The "Healthful Living" course often taken by 9th grade students should instead be made mandatory in the last two years of high school.

In Wake County, reproductive health classes are not mandatory in 12th grade, when students are more likely to be sexually active.