Sex Education in Schools. EDUCATION U.S.A. Special Report (9th).

Overview & Synopsis

This special report describes the state of current sex education programs and policies in the nation's public schools, and offers guidelines for school officials, parents, and concerned citizens involved in developing sex education programs. Sixteen general principles for use in planning and implementing a sex education program are followed by specific suggestions concerning the appropriate curriculum components of sex education programs in the early elementary grades, middle elementary grades, junior high school, and high school. A brief review of sex education programs currently operating in 16 school districts throughout the nation illustrates the variety of approaches and tactics which have been used to develop sex education programs. Twenty-eight policy and curriculum guides are included in the document's 67-item bibliography. (JH)