Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 4-21-2014

Journal / Book Title

Journal of School Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Teaching sexuality education to support young people’s sexual development and overall sexual health is both needed and supported. Data continue to highlight the high rates of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, among young people in the United States as well as the overwhelming public support for sexuality education instruction. In support of the implementation of the National Sexuality Education Standards, the current effort focuses on better preparing teachers to deliver sexuality education. METHODS: An expert panel was convened by the Future of Sex Education Initiative to develop teacher-preparation standards for sexuality education. Their task was to develop standards and indicators that addressed the unique elements intrinsic to sexuality education instruction. RESULTS: Seven standards and associated indicators were developed that address professional disposition, diversity and equity, content knowledge, legal and professional ethics, planning, implementation, and assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The National Teacher-Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education represent an unprecedented unified effort to enable prospective health education teachers to become competent in teaching methodology, theory, the practice of pedagogy, content, and skills, specific to sexuality education. Higher education will play a key role in ensuring the success of these standards.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12156

Published Citation

Barr, Elissa M., Eva S. Goldfarb, Susan Russell, Denise Seabert, Michele Wallen, and Kelly L. Wilson. "Improving sexuality education: The development of teacher‐preparation standards." Journal of school health 84, no. 6 (2014): 396-415. Harvard

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