Clarke Co. Schools Add New Sex-Ed Classes

Two new sex education programs will be taught in Clarke County schools next fall. The county’s school board by an 8-1 vote Thursday approved the programs, ending a long-standing practice of abstinence-only education. One of the new programs begins in kindergarten--the other in middle school. Abstinence still will be taught, and parents will get the option to exempt students from class.

Two Sex Ed. Programs Up For Vote In Clarke County

The Clarke County school board is expected to vote tonight on whether to adopt two new sex education programs. The material includes information about birth control and contraception to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The school board voted more than a year ago to do away with the long-standing policy of abstinence-only sex education. School officials say abstinence still would be taught as a proven method of avoiding pregnancy and disease. Clarke County's teen pregnancy rate is among Georgia's highest - 1 out of every 3 girls becoming pregnant before age 20.

(Associated Press)

Teen birth rate up in Georgia

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says the rate of Georgia teen-agers having babies has increased three percent.

The CDC says that for every 1000 births in the state between 2005 and 2006, 54 were to teen-aged moms.

Georgia's teen birth rate ranks the 10th highest throughout the country.

Michele Ozumba, president of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, says the increase comes as funding cuts are made to programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy.

"We started seeing this trend a couple of years ago where community based programs that serve young people are struggling to keep their doors open," she says.

The teen birth rate increased throughout the U.S. this year, the first time in 15 years.

Ozumba also criticizes the lack of sex education in schools, criticizing public school classes that that focus on abstinence from sex, and do not teach birth control methods. Supporters of abstinence-only education say abstinence is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy.

A congressional study found in 2007 that abstinence-only programs don't work.