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Sexuality Education In Mississippi: Progress In The Magnolia State

While recognizing the state’s alarming statistics for teen births, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV/AIDS, it is important to acknowledge that Mississippi is making enormous strides in improving the sexual health and well-being of its young people. Before 2011, schools in Mississippi were not required to teach sexuality education or provide instruction on STD/HIV prevention—and if schools chose to teach either or both forms of education, they were required to stress abstinence-only-until-marriage.

However, after the passage of House Bill 999 in the 2011 state legislative session, school districts were required to adopt and implement a sexuality education program into the school curriculum by the 2012-2013 school year. Sexuality Education in Mississippi: Progress in the Magnolia State takes a look at the sexual health and behaviors of teens in the state, breaks down the new sexuality education policy, and outlines the progress made and challenges discovered after the first year of implementation.

Download a PDF of Sexuality Education in Mississippi: Progress in the Magnolia State here.

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