CHECK YOUR DISTRICT

Santa Ana Unified School District is the largest in the county, serving more than 54,000 students over 24 square miles in the city of Santa Ana.

In 2005, the district was encouraged by community members, parents, and educators to adopt a comprehensive sexual health education policy in response to the high teen birth rate (twice the rate of the California average), and high STD rates among teens. This policy is very thorough and provides strict guidelines, expectations, and objectives for all students. One shortcoming of the policy is that it states, “Teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage,” with no discussion at all about honor and respect for other committed relationships, specifically same-sex relationships.

Anecdotal evidence by some parents and community members indicate that while this policy is quite comprehensive, it is not being implemented in most classrooms. Because there is no mechanism in the education code to make sure schools are complying with the law, it is up to parents and community members to hold the schools in their district accountable. Planned Parenthood staff and community leaders met with district staff to find ways to ensure teachers have the training and materials they need to properly implement the curriculum. Together, we hope to secure resources for the district and ensure that students are getting the information they need.

Sections of comprehensive sexual health education that need revising:

• Promotes Healthy Image
  • Current text and materials do not fully cover sexual orientation
  • Current text and materials do not fully cover gender roles
• Safety and Effectiveness of all FDA-approved contraceptives, including EC
  • Need to include information on the Ring

Comprehensive Health Education BP 6142.8(a)

Family Life/Sex Education BP 6142.81

Family Life/Sex Education AR 6142.81(a)

AIDS Prevention Instruction BP 6142.82(a)

AIDS Prevention Instruction AR 6142.82(a)

High School Course Outline: Health Education