Pittsburgh Public Schools has updated its Sexuality Education Policy for the first time in more than a decade. The previous policy, which was last revised in July , listed abstinence as the expected norm and included language about promoting a wholesome understanding of sexuality. Though the policy defined its approach as comprehensive, it did not mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
The updated policy, which the board approved unanimously during its Wednesday meeting, expands the parameters of sexuality education to include consent, anatomy, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and identity, sexual health, and interpersonal violence. The policy covers students in kindergarten through graduation. According to the district, the curriculum is taught depending on the developmental level of students.
In elementary school, for example, students receive lessons throughout the year during physical education. Sydney Etheredge, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, told the board she supported the policy updates as a means to empower students to make informed decisions about their sexual health without shame or stigma. Survey results show that district students are above the national average when it comes to the average age when students become sexually active.
During a policy workshop in August, Eldridge told the board that the data led the district to prioritize a robust education in the early grades. Eldridge says students reported having fewer sexual partners than the state and federal averages. As always, parents and guardians have the option to opt their students out of sex ed.
Students can be pulled from the courses, and parents have the option to teach the curriculum at home. Search Query Show Search. Show Search Search Query. Play Live Radio. Next Up:. All Streams. Facebook LinkedIn Email. Julia Zenkevich. Sarah Schneider. See stories by Sarah Schneider. National exam results show struggle to bring Pa. Collin Binkley Associated Press. The Pennsylvania fourth graders tested — kindergartners at the onset of the COVID pandemic — scored lower in both reading and math than fourth graders tested in Western Pennsylvania students participate in annual Regional Braille Challenge.
