Emily Young1,2, Zewditu Demissie2,3, Nancy D Brener4, Sarah Benes5, Leigh E Szucs2. 1. Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 1299 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830. 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, US8-1, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027. 3. U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, 1101 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20852. 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health 1600, Clifton Road, NE, US8-1, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027. 5. Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA, 01845.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about trends in implementing skills-based instruction in US schools, specifically for sexual and reproductive health (SRH). We examined state-level trends in the percentage of US secondary schools teaching SRH skills in a required course in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. METHODS: Representative data from 35 states participating across 6 cycles of School Health Profiles (2008-2018) was analyzed. The prevalence of teaching four SRH skills was assessed through lead health education teacher self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression models examined linear trends in the percentages of schools teaching SRH skills in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. Trends were calculated for states with weighted data (response rates ≥70%) for at least 3 cycles, including 2018. RESULTS: During 2008 to 2018, the median percentage of schools addressing each SRH skill ranged from 63.5% to 69.7% (grades 6-8) and 88.2% to 92.0% (grades 9-12). Linear decreases in SRH skills instruction were more common for grades 6 to 8 than grades 9 to 12; linear increases were comparable for both groups. Most states demonstrated no change in the percentage of schools teaching SRH skills in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. CONCLUSIONS: Limited changes and decreases in SRH skills instruction in US secondary schools suggest efforts to strengthen SRH education are needed.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about trends in implementing skills-based instruction in US schools, specifically for sexual and reproductive health (SRH). We examined state-level trends in the percentage of US secondary schools teaching SRH skills in a required course in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. METHODS: Representative data from 35 states participating across 6 cycles of School Health Profiles (2008-2018) was analyzed. The prevalence of teaching four SRH skills was assessed through lead health education teacher self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression models examined linear trends in the percentages of schools teaching SRH skills in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. Trends were calculated for states with weighted data (response rates ≥70%) for at least 3 cycles, including 2018. RESULTS: During 2008 to 2018, the median percentage of schools addressing each SRH skill ranged from 63.5% to 69.7% (grades 6-8) and 88.2% to 92.0% (grades 9-12). Linear decreases in SRH skills instruction were more common for grades 6 to 8 than grades 9 to 12; linear increases were comparable for both groups. Most states demonstrated no change in the percentage of schools teaching SRH skills in grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. CONCLUSIONS: Limited changes and decreases in SRH skills instruction in US secondary schools suggest efforts to strengthen SRH education are needed.
Authors: M Elaine Auld; Marin P Allen; Cicily Hampton; J Henry Montes; Cherylee Sherry; Angela D Mickalide; Robert A Logan; Wilma Alvarado-Little; Kim Parson Journal: NAM Perspect Date: 2020-07-20