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SEX EDUCATION POLICY IN FLORIDA: STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE

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Date Issued:
2008
Abstract/Description:
Sex education policies and programs in Florida are largely dominated by the abstinence-only approach. This paper makes the case that abstinence-only education is a failing policy in Florida, and evaluates strategies advocates may use in order to accomplish reform. Three different strategies are evaluated: countywide school district reform, statewide rejection of federal abstinence-only funding, and statewide standardization of sex education via legislation. Contrasts are drawn between all three strategies with regard to their potential impact on sex education policy in Florida, viability, and the challenges they present to advocates. This paper concludes that statewide standardization of sex education in Florida represents the best way to remedy the problem of insufficient sex education, but is unlikely to occur without increased bipartisan support in the Florida legislature. Statewide rejection of Title V federal abstinence-only funds remains an important policy goal for the purpose of accomplishing an end to federal abstinence grants but would likely achieve very little for Florida's students. Countywide sex education changes are thus far the only substantive victory for sex education advocates in Florida and should be instituted across the state with advocates taking special care to engage teachers, medical professionals, parents and local community leaders.
Title: SEX EDUCATION POLICY IN FLORIDA: STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE.
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Name(s): Cawley, Jenna, Author
Fine, Terri Susan, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2008
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Sex education policies and programs in Florida are largely dominated by the abstinence-only approach. This paper makes the case that abstinence-only education is a failing policy in Florida, and evaluates strategies advocates may use in order to accomplish reform. Three different strategies are evaluated: countywide school district reform, statewide rejection of federal abstinence-only funding, and statewide standardization of sex education via legislation. Contrasts are drawn between all three strategies with regard to their potential impact on sex education policy in Florida, viability, and the challenges they present to advocates. This paper concludes that statewide standardization of sex education in Florida represents the best way to remedy the problem of insufficient sex education, but is unlikely to occur without increased bipartisan support in the Florida legislature. Statewide rejection of Title V federal abstinence-only funds remains an important policy goal for the purpose of accomplishing an end to federal abstinence grants but would likely achieve very little for Florida's students. Countywide sex education changes are thus far the only substantive victory for sex education advocates in Florida and should be instituted across the state with advocates taking special care to engage teachers, medical professionals, parents and local community leaders.
Identifier: CFE0002259 (IID), ucf:47829 (fedora)
Note(s): 2008-08-01
M.A.
Sciences, Department of Political Science
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): sex
education
florida
abstinence
contraception
hiv
std
sexually transmitted infection
pregnancy
abortion
teen
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002259
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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