2. School-Based Sex-related Education (SRE)
Shalonda Coleman, MSEd., CHES
Estelle Watts, MSN, NCSN
Christine Philley, M.Ed., CFCS
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Healthy Schools

3. House Bill 999
Passed in the 2011 Legislation Session, requires Mississippi schools to implement a SRE program. Signed by Governor Barbour, March 16, 2011

4. Prevalence of Selected Sexual Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Mississippi
Source: CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey

5. Teenage Birth Data
In 2006, 435,427 births occurred to mothers aged 15-19, a birth rate of 41.9 per 1,000 women in this age group.
In 2006, Mississippi was ranked the highest with a birth rate of 68.4 per 1000
In 2008, 435,000 births occurred to mothers aged 15-19, a birth rate of 41.5 per 1,000 women in this age group.
In 2008, Mississippi was ranked the highest with a birth rate of 64.2 per 1000
Available at:

6. Impact of Teen Pregnancy on Mississippi Youth
2007 Ages 10-19
Live Births ,954
Repeat Births ,802
2008 Ages 10-19
Live Births ,310
Repeat Births ,702
2009 Ages 10-19
Live Births ,078
Repeat Births ,496

7. Adolescent Data
Approximately 140 babies were born to teenage mothers between the ages in 2009.
Approximately 2,242 babies were born to teenage mothers between the ages in 2009.
Available at

8. Although 15-24 year olds make up just 15% of Mississippi's population, they represent:
76% of chlamydia cases
70% of gonorrhea cases

9. In 2009, Mississippi ranked #6 nationally in HIV infection case rates among the 40 states with confidential reporting.
26% of HIV cases

10. HB999-SRE highlights
By June 30, 2012, every school district must adopt a policy on:
Abstinence-only education, or
Abstinence-plus education
By June 30, 2012, school districts must submit a selected policy, curriculum, and protocol for implementation to the Office of Healthy Schools
Instruction to begin no later than the start of school year.

11. HB999-SRE highlights Boys and Girls must be separated for instruction
Requires written notice of inclusion/exclusion
School nurses responsible for implementation of program
No effort to teach abortion as a means to prevent birth

12. HB999-SRE highlights
“The instruction or program may include a discussion on condoms or contraceptives, but only if that discussion includes a factual presentation of the risks and failure rates of those contraceptives.”
“In no case shall the instruction or program include any demonstration of how condoms or other contraceptives are applied.”
Excerpt from House Bill 999 lines 71-76

13. Only or Plus: What’s the difference?
Abstinence education shall remain the state standard for any SRE taught in MS public schools 
Any SRE includes instruction or program provided at an appropriate age and grade

14. Abstinence Only—may include:
The teaching of social, psychological and health gains associated with abstinence;
the teaching of harmful consequences to adolescent sexual activity;
the teaching of skills to deal with unwanted sexual advances, including the role of alcohol and drug use;
the teaching of abstinence as the only way to avoid pregnancy, STD and related health problems; (continued)

15. Abstinence Only—may include:
discussion of condom and contraceptive use along with factual presentation of risks and failure rates;
the teaching of state law related to sexual conduct; and
the teaching that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in context of marriage is the most healthy option.

16. Abstinence Plus MUST include all the components listed above
Any programmatic curriculum that has been approved

17. Draft Implementation Plan Step 1: Best Practices
Program should be sequential in its scope and age appropriate.
Curriculum is medically accurate and meets the needs of students and the school district.
District data should be reviewed and considered.
Form a group of interested stakeholders including parents, community leaders and educators (health council) to give input on the plan, using the wellness policy as a guide
Communicate with parents and community regarding the direction of this implementation, being as transparent as possible.

18. Step 2: Answer these key questions:
Grade level where instruction will begin?
Who will provide instruction?
What curricula will be used?
Consider the logistics of separating boys and girls for instruction.
How will parent permission forms be handled?

19. Step 3: Develop District Plan to include:
Procedures for maintenance and dissemination of permission forms
Identification of staff who will be provide instruction
Separation of boys and girls, management of time and space, including students whose parents have opted out
Curriculum choices from the provided list of curricula
Policy development and Board adoption
Report choices to OHS by June 30, 2012
Begin implementation August 2012

20. Resources Available for You at www.healthyschoolsms.org
House Bill 999
Draft Policies
Implementation Plan
Approved Resources
House Bill 999 District Reporting Form
House Bill 999 Supplemental Resources for Sex Education (RFP)
For technical assistance questions and reporting:

21. Additional Resources & Technical Assistance
**A workgroup has convened to review curricula. This group includes representatives from MDE, district/school level, the community and MSDH.
Professional Development Trainings for instructors teachers, counselors and nurses were provided in September 2011
Health In Action Lesson Plans
Health Education Curriculum

24. For More Information Contact:
Shalonda Matthews –
Estelle Watts –
Christine Philley –
Office of Healthy Schools
Mississippi Department of Education