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NEW YORK Abstinence Education in New York In 2007, then-Governor Elliot Spitzer (D) rejected Title V funds for New York. The 2008 election will be very important for abstinence education – a major change could result in weakened support. New York state lawmakers are considering the Healthy Teens Act, which is a bill that would require comprehensive sex education, be taught in all public schools. There is currently no state coalition to support abstinence. Attacks New York Civil Liberties is very organized and a very harsh critic. New York Sexuality Education Law and Policy Health education is required for all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade in New York. This instruction must provide information about HIV/AIDS, including how to prevent its transmission. Health education is taught by classroom teachers in kindergarten through sixth grade and by certified health teachers in grades seven through twelve. In grades seven through twelve, health education must be a separate one-half year course. All HIV/AIDS education must “provide accurate information to pupils concerning the nature of the disease, methods of transmission, and methods of prevention.” This instruction must be age-appropriate and consistent with community values and “shall stress abstinence as the most appropriate and effective premarital protection against AIDS.” Each local school board must establish an advisory council to make recommendations on HIV/AIDS instruction. The state does not require or suggest a specific curriculum, but does have the Learning Standards for Health, Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences, which provides a curriculum framework. The framework does not specifically mention sexuality education though certain areas of sexuality education are implied. Parents may exempt their children from HIV/AIDS classes as long as the school is given “assurance that the pupil will receive such instruction at home.” This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy. Parents for Truth Member Organizations in New York Healthy Respect Other Abstinence Education Organizations in New York Equinox Long Island Crisis Center Catholic Charities of Broome County Green Chimneys Children's Services Diaspora Community Services Compass House Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services The Children's Village Chautauqua Opportunities Oswego County Opportunities Huntington Youth Bureau Catholic Charities of Herkimer County Family of Woodstock Emergency Housing Group Safe Horizon Family and Children’s Services of Niagara Hudson River Housing Center for Youth Services Hillside Children’s Center Mercy Residential Services The Salvation Army - Rochester Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Safe of Schenectady New York Foundling The Salvation Army, Syracuse The Archdiocese of NY “My Future First” Program Builders for Family and Youth of the Diocese of Brooklyn Catholic Charities of Syracuse Catholic Charities of Western NY Community of Maternity Services HOPE Initiatives, CDC Hudson City School District Archdiocese of NY Catholic Charities – Ogdensburg King Urban Life Center Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Project Truth Jewish Child Care Association Program Reach Educators for Children, Youth and Families Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center/Mt St Mary’s Hospital Yorkshire-Pioneer Central School Niagara County Youth Bureau Catholic Charities of Oneida/Madison County Maternity Group Home |