70% of Students Requested More Time spent On Comprehensive Sex Education Curriculum
MDCPS abstinence only curriculum could be a factor in growing HIV cases in Miami

On March 21, at 5pm before the Miami-Dade County School Board hearing, Miami Workers Center (MWC), Power U Center For Social Change (Power U), and The New Florida Majority (TheNewFM) will hold a press conference releasing data that validates the need to implement comprehensive sexual health education in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS). During the 2016-2017 school year, students from 54 middle schools and high schools were surveyed on the sexual education curriculum they received in school. 70% of those students requested more time spent on sexual health education. 68% of students believed sexual education training is very important in their education. Local social justice organizations are advocating for MDCPS to have comprehensive sex education curriculum that is medically accurate and evidenced- based focusing on consent, healthy relationships, contraceptive options, LGBTQ and gender identity, and preparing young people to have healthy adult lives.

MDCPS is currently the 4th largest school district in the United State and has yet to adopt a comprehensive sex education policy that would make it compulsory for K-12 students to get the information that they need regarding reproductive health and human sexuality. MDCPS students are only being taught abstinence-only curriculum. Abstinence only is a viable method of contraception if a student is asexual or actively abstaining from sex. That method does not work for the myriad of students who want to engage in sex and who have already engaged in sexual activity. Florida leads the nation in new HIV infections and Miami-Dade County is number one in new HIV/AIDS cases. The lack of information of youth has an immediate adverse impact on the public health of the general community.

WHAT: Press Conference to release data on surveyed students who want more comprehensive sex education to be implemented in their schools.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at 5:00 pm

WHERE: Miami-Dade County School Board Hearing
1450 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132

WHO: Miami Workers Center
Power U Center For Social Change
The New Florida Majority

CONTACT: Mariama Gregory, Mariama@poweru.org
Jasmen Rogers, Jasmen@theworkerscenter.org
Samantha Daley, Samantha@poweru.org

INFO GRAPHICS AVAILABLE: See below