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• Public Health Service Information Midcourse Revisions Objective 5.1: This objective has been revised to focus on females aged 15 to 17 because the consequences and implications of pregnancy are most severe for adolescents. The number of pregnancies in adolescents under age 15 is small, making it difficult to measure trends. Adolescents over age 17 are considered legally to be adults. The consequences of unin- tended pregnancy among females aged 15 to 17 and the implications for their children's lives are long-lasting. Objective 5.4: Special population targets were added to this objective. African-American males aged 15 and 17 and African-American females aged 17 were established as special population targets to reduce the proportion of adolescents who have engaged in sexual intercourse. Objective 5.6: Age groups have been modified to measure the proportion of sexually active, unmarried people aged 15 to 24 measured in two subgroups: 15 to 19 and 20 to 24, rather than just adolescents aged 19 or younger. within the Family Planning priority area, a number of targets are identi- fied and adolescents are an important focus. The adolescent target features the reduction of the incidence of adolescent pregnancy, an increase in the OVERVIEW INEIMN RIVER COUNTY HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION CURRICULUM PIIILOSOP W In June, 1990, Florida joined those states that require sex education in public schools. The legislature passed HH 1739 requiring comprehensive health education that includes instruction in human sexuality and pregnancy prevention, advocating abstinence as "the expected standard for all school age children" and providing exemption from instruction upon parental request. In the late 1980's a committee was formed in Indian River County representing the school district and members of the community at large, to develop a philosophy regarding the instruction of Human Sexuality Education, (HSE) in Indian River County Schools. This philosophy mirrors that recommended by the State of Florida and the Department of Education: abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all children and the only certain way to avoid pregnancy, sexual transmission of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. In Indian River County the instruction of HSE takes into account the whole person with the focus being the healthy social, emotional and physical development of each child and the inherent sense of his/her worth as an individual. This instruction, beginning in the primary grades, is intended to reduce destructive behaviors in children, including: early sexual involvement. substance abuse, suicide, activities which result in sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS and teen pregnancy. The focus on learning to make healthy choices in life and realizing one's worth go hand in hand with enabling children to avoid involvement in the high risk behaviors mentioned above. SUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION TffitOUGIR CONWREIMNSIIVE IMALTH EDUCATION GRADES H - 8 Undergirding all HSE education in Indian River County is the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children and that instruction shall provide developmentally appropriate information at all levels. JANUARY 27, 1998 • -37- boa 1-04 PAGE 2'37