Abstinence-based sex-ed course helps kids say no

Date published: 6/9/2005

Best choice?

ASTUDY by the Austin, Texas-based Medical Institute for Sexual Health has found that middle school students who completed an abstinence-based sex-education program were half as likely to become sexually active the following year compared with students in a control group. "Choosing the Best," an interactive, multilesson curriculum, produced better outcomes than a lecture-only course.

The purpose of the institute is to present good information on various sex-ed curricula and let that data "speak for itself," Dr. Paul Rose, president of the organization, told The Washington Times. That's a good goal; if only school systems will hear.

Date published: 6/9/2005