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WISCONSIN Abstinence Education in Wisconsin Wisconsin no longer has a state abstinence education program after its Governor rejected Title V funds. It has been five years since a major conference was held to assist teachers and organizations that provide abstinence education. The lack of Title V funding has created a major financial strain on providers, and the only major unifying outreach is the newsletter sent by the Wisconsin Abstinence Coalition. Abstinence education is being billed as “relationship building” in the African-American communities, and is receiving a very strong response. Attitudes are slowing changing. Attacks – Planned Parenthood is very strong. Though it has been under the radar of late, the organization maintains its visits to state lawmakers, and its leaders serve important roles in the state, including on committees that distribute funds to non-profits. Submitted by Sally Ladky 5/8/08 Wisconsin Sexuality Education Law and Policy Wisconsin state law encourages, but does not require, school boards to provide classes in sexuality education. However, Wisconsin statute does identify educational goals and expectations; one of these goals is personal development. The statute states that school boards shall provide a program to discuss the human body and how to maintain lifelong health. It adds that this should include instruction in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and be offered in high schools. According to Wisconsin statute, this instruction may include:
These classes can occur in kindergarten through twelfth grade and must be age-appropriate. If a school board provides instruction in any of these areas, they must “also provide instruction in marriage and parental responsibility.” The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is authorized to develop a health education program that includes STDs and AIDS. DPI also has the authority to develop health curriculum guidelines, but is prohibited from requiring local school boards to use a specific curriculum. Parents and guardians must be given the opportunity to review all materials related to sexuality education classes. If such classes are offered, school boards must also form advisory councils consisting of “parents, teachers, school administrators, pupils, health care professionals, members of the clergy, and other residents of the school district” to review the sexuality education curricula at least every three years. Parents or guardians can remove their children from sexuality education classes with a written note to the teacher or principal. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy. See Wisconsin Statutes 115.35 and 118.019. Parents for Truth Member Organizations in Wisconsin WI Abstinence Coalition Milwaukee, WI 53217 262-241-5238 Other Abstinence Education Organizations in Wisconsin Center for Self-Sufficiency Angie Turner 4465 N. Oakland Wise Women Gathering Bev Scow Best Friends Pat Kirby Best Men Kyle Witty New Concepts Development Centern Nancy Haan AIDS Resource Center Sara Vila PO Box 510498 Madison, WI 53203-0092 Up Connection - SHARE Program Rosalie Manor Bethany Christian Services-Waukesha Teen Outreach - St. Francis Hospital CareNet Kenosha, WI Evangelical Child and Family Hope Pregnancy Resource Center Bethany Christian Services-Milwaukee St. Gabriel Center Manitowoc Abstinence Coalition Lakeshore CAP Watertown HS West Allis Abstinence Group TYME Out Center High Expectations Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese Quinceanera Mentoring Program contact Pedro Martinez Compel Them to Come |