WA State loses federal sex education funding

[merwin]

Source: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/344701_education24.html

OLYMPIA -- The Bush administration is cutting off funding for abstinence-only sex education in Washington because this state now requires schools to provide additional, medically accurate information about preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Up until this year, the state has received an annual $800,000 federal grant for abstinence-only sex education. The money was used to produce and air public service announcements as well as developing abstinence-only curriculums for schools.

The programs had been used in many cases alongside more comprehensive sex education programs taught at the discretion of individual school districts.

This year, however, the Legislature passed a law that makes comprehensive sex education compulsory for all schools.

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/344701_education24.html

---

This was posted to the state forum by someone else, but I thought this is insane enough that it should be included here as well.

[The Blue Flower]

1. I applaud our legislators in Olympia

Passing up the money to make sure education actually occurs in our schools is a gutsy stand, and I thank them.

[sasquatch]

2. Me too

Nice job Washington State.

[rodeodance]

14. I do too.

[BearSquirrel2]

21. Probably cost them more money than the grant ...

It's likely that the increased pregnancy and STD rates are costing them more money in public medical services than the grant.

[Zorra]

3. Abstinence-only sex education - that must be what Jamie Lynn Spears

had for her HS sex ed class.

Because abstinence only sex ed is basically useless in teenage realtime.

Good for WA State, making effective education a higher priority than fed money for

[annabanana]

4. "abstinence-only sex education" has never been more

than a sop to the right wing fundie crowd. It never "worked" and it never will.

[msongs]

5. states oughta quit taking NoChildLeftBehind money as well nt

[Hydra]

6. Gj Washington state for ditching "just don't do it" sex ed

It's about as effective as anti-donut adds for cops.

[diane in sf]

7. Good for them, it's worthless anyway.

[MrBlueSky]

8. Hooray for Washington!

FINALLY! My state gets it right... for once!

WTO riots... bad State Supreme Court decisions... We have been getting a bad press of late!

I hope the legislature has the guts to backfill the funding loss.

My daughter is of sex education age and I want her school to handle it properly... medically accurate condom/birth control information PLUS abstinence (i.e. if the word "no" doesn't work, we actually have a backup to her getting pregnant!)

I think the majority of America agrees with this stance, even if they feel uncomfortable to talk about it!

MrBlueSky
Snohomish, WA

[MadMaddie]

19. MrBlue Sky you are right ..our state has blown some things...

this one they got right and the Domestic Partners laws they got right.

If something happens to me at least my partner can see me in the hospital.

It looks like some states are gearing up to fight the bastards in the * admin. It's about time.

By the way....Welcome to DU!!:hi:

MadMaddie
Bothell, WA

[Dr_Orpheus]

24. For the record...

if any state is to be blamed for the WTO riots, it would be Oregon...damn Eugene Anarchists...

[EVDebs]

9. Study: Abstinence-only doesn't work

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/04/13/study_abstinenceonly_doesnt_work/

The CIA's covert actions have resulted in nothing but blowback, Bush's policies re sex education seem to be promoting ignorance and and much the same thing (blowback), as long as the money is funding GOP projects who cares if it isn't really working ?

[PSPS]

10. "medically accurate information" -- OH! THE HORROR!!

The Bush administration is cutting off funding for abstinence-only sex education in Washington because this state now requires schools to provide additional, medically accurate information about preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

With the teaching of "medically accurate" information, what's next? Critical thinking? Can't have that while bush needs his ignorant and obedient crusaders!

[fightthegoodfightnow]

11. ABSTINENCE ONLY IS GENOCIDE FOR GAY PEOPLE

It's the systematic killing of gay people by conservatives who not only want to deny gay people marriage and sex, but healthy, safe and prosperous lives.

Bravo Washington State.

[chknltl]

12. Hooray for us!

I suggest that Washington adopts a far better abstinence program, one where all our teens abstain from joining bush's military. :patriot:
chknltl in Tacoma Wa.

[nealmhughes]

13. Just money down a rathole in the first place. I guarantee that hormones will trump a class every

single time. Now available condoms and other birth control/STD prevention education and aids, that is another story, but the Righteous Right view such as "enabling" kids to do what they do best.

[WillyT]

15. One Has To Wonder...

if this is exactly what the right-wing wants.

While I applaud Washington for telling the * Administration to "shove it, we don't need your stinking funding"...

I wonder if the right sits there, smiles, and says, "Exactly!"

:shrug:

[Vincardog]

16. So $800,000 less money for propaganda and lies. What is the downside?

[merwin]

28. As a supplement to regular sex-ed, it's fine to tell a kid not to have sex.

I don't see a problem with that. I do see a problem with the federal government taking the funding away because WA wants to teach sex-ed.

[Vincardog]

29. The establishment wants to teach lies and propaganda it is not a supplement to true

sex education. IT is lies in place of true sex education.
Just like "intelligent design" is not taught in addition to true science.

[merwin]

31. So it's not ok to tell people about sex and how to protect yourself, and then

to tell them that it's best not to have sex at all?

What a wacky set of propaganda!

[Vincardog]

32. No they believe that telling teens about sex is "condoining" teen sex.

They prefer that we lie to them and tell them that condoms lead to AIDS. That abortions lead to CANCER and that your father is your husband until you give it up to your husband.

[GrantDem]

17. 14 states refuse the money anyway...

If we work hard enough we can get that up to 50 and maybe we can actually reduce the number of teen-pregnancies.

[Turbineguy]

18. So.... can we get the 800 grand

to pay for OB/GYN and Pediatrician costs as a result of abstinence only education?

Oh ye of little faith!

[MadMaddie]

20. Bwah..haw..haw you are funny...they don't care for the infants once

they are born...they only care about the egg and the fetus.

What are you thinking?:sarcasm:

[pinto]

22. Good on them for turning down the $200,000 this next fiscal year.

from the sane article

"Advocates for the comprehensive sex education law argued that the new curriculum would help reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. But regardless of the outcome, the federal government will no longer provide the grant, which would have been about $200,000 this year."

[chknltl]

23. Attn. Freepers

The cancellation of the Abstinence Only Program does NOT mean there will be a subsequent rise in promiscuity among Washington State teens.

Current trends indicate a rise in promiscuity among young adults who wear an active duty military uniform.

:patriot:

[Ian David]

25. Why couldn't they have had abstinence-only education when *I* was a kid?

I would have been able to get laid SO MUCH easier!

[melody]

26. Another reason to love Washington n/t

[Zhade]

27. Thank you for adding to the future death toll, religious idiots.

I blame YOU for the coming wave of teen pregnancy and STD/AIDS.

[sentelle]

30. chris gregoire has some big brass ones

She really seems to be a fighter. First the lawsuit re: SCHIP, the one about emissions, and now this. Its hard for me to believe this: a government working for the betterment of its people.

Senrik
Bainbridge Island, WA

[yardwork]

33. Good for Washington state! Stand up for real science instead of lies.