March 2008 E-Newsletter
Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed is a coalition of educational, religious, health, social service and advocacy organizations, as well as concerned individuals that promotes lifelong healthy sexuality by advocating for policies on responsible sexuality education and access to confidential health care services.
Minnesota Legislative Update
The sex ed bill is moving through the legislature once again this year. Last week the Senate amended the Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF3001) to include sex ed. The House has passed HF0615 (the bill introduced in 2007) through K-12 Finance Committee and it will now move through two additional committees on the way to the House floor.
Recent parent survey research conducted by the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center has made a big impression on legislators.
Thank you to our Coalition partners! Minnesota AIDS Project’s AIDS Action Day, National Council of Jewish Women Lobby Day and Pro-Choice Lobby Day all focused their 2008 lobby day messages around sex education, sending a strong message of support to legislators.
For more information about what is happening at the Capitol, contact Lorie Alveshere at lorie@moappp.org or Amy Brugh at amy.brugh@mnaidsproject.org
What Can You Do Now?
1. Send an email message to your Representative and Senator in support of responsible sex education. We know that those who oppose sex ed legislation contact their elected officials often. This makes it even more important that legislators hear a strong message of support for this issue from us. To find your Representative and Senator click here.
Suggested talking points include:
- Sex education helps young people be safe and healthy. It provides information that Minnesota youth need to become responsible adults.
- The bill creates standards for medically accurate, age appropriate sex education for public school students in grades 7-12.
- Minnesota parents support and want sex education taught in public schools (view parent survey information at www.coalitionforsexed.org ).
- Share with your legislator why this issue is important to you.
2. Bring the youth you work with to the Capitol. Register for Youth Lobby Day on April 8th. See registration details below. You can also show your support for sex ed by attending the 12:30pm rally in the Capitol Rotunda!
Coalition Event – 2008
April 8, 2008
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm State Capitol Great Hall and Rotunda
Youth Lobby Day – Advance Registration Extended!
The Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed is hosting our annual Youth Lobby Day on Tuesday, April 8th from 12pm-4pm at the State Capitol in St. Paul. This FREE event for young people will include a rally in support of Comprehensive Sex Ed, coaching on how to be an effective advocate, lunch, and one-on-one meetings with legislators. Advance registration extended to March 27th. For more information, please contact Amy Kodet at publicpolicyintern@moappp.org or 651-644-1447 x17. Register online here or download registration form & photo consent form here.
In the News
Minnesota Press Coverage of Sex Ed
Teach Adolescents About Responsible Sexuality
By Sen. Sandy Pappas, Rep. Neva Walker
Read the Pioneer Press Commentary by clicking here.
1 in 4 Teen Girls Infected with Sexually Transmitted Disease; Experts say Inadequate Sex Education to Blame
By Lorna Benson, Associated Press, Article Last Updated: 03/12/2008
Read the Associated Press article in the Star Tribune
Read the Associated Press Article in the Pioneer Press
Survey says 90 Percent of Parents Want Sex Ed in Schools
By Lorna Benson, Minnesota Public Radio, 3/18/08
Read Minnesota Public Radio’s coverage of the Minnesota parent survey
Shocking Stats about STDs
Broadcast: Midmorning, 03/20/2008
Listen to Minnesota Public Radio’s Coverage
U study Finds MN Parents Support Sex Education in Schools
See KARE-11's news coverage about the report here
UW Researchers Say Sex Ed Cuts Teen Pregnancies
University of Washington researchers found that students who receive comprehensive sex education are half as likely to become teen parents and no more likely to engage in intercourse than peers as those who get none or abstinence-only sex education. Cick here to read more.
Iowa Becomes 17th State to Reject Federal Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Money
Recently, Iowa became the 17th state to withdraw from the federal abstinence-only-until-marriage block grant program to the states through Title V funding. Read about it here.
Research
What Do Parents Think?
New U of M Research Measures Parent Support for Sex Ed
In 2007, the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center at the University of Minnesota surveyed 1,605 Minnesota parents regarding their attitudes about sex education in schools. To view the survey results, click here.
Resources
2007 Minnesota Student Survey Data Now Available
The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is administered every three years to students in grades 6, 9 and 12. The survey is one way to monitor priority risk and protective behaviors among students. The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous on the part of students. To view the data click here.