Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is your curriculum?
2. Can we preview the curriculum before purchasing?
3. Is there a cost for the program?
4. How many schools use your curriculum?
5. Which class should the curriculum be incorporated into?
6. Does the curriculum teach contraception?
7. Do you recommend separating boys and girls when teaching the curriculum?
8. Why not teach about "safe sex?"
9. Do abstinence programs really work?
10. How effective is this program?

1. How long is your curriculum?
Each grade level is two weeks (10 lessons) in length.

2. Can we preview the curriculum before purchasing?
Program Educators from the UT Health Science Center Sex Education Program are available to meet with schools/districts to provide an overview of the program. Please call (210) 567-7036 to arrange a time.

3. Is there a cost for the program?
Schools not covered under the grant will incur costs for purchasing the Worth the Wait® Sex Education Curriculum and for teacher training conferences. A consulting fee would be charged for additional services.

4. How many schools use your curriculum?
The curriculum is currently being implemented by the UT Health Science Center SEP in over 85 campuses in 24 school districts in and around Bexar County.

5. Which class should the curriculum be incorporated into?
This is left up to each school district, but typically we find it's taught in their required science or health/PE classes.

6. Does the curriculum teach contraception?
Instruction on contraception is included in the curriculum at the high school level. It is also discussed during an optional assembly program at the 8th grade level given by a healthcare professional.

7. Do you recommend separating boys and girls when teaching the curriculum?
Our experience shows that teaching them together promotes better communication between the boys and girls.

8. Why not teach about "safe sex?"
We do not want to give the incorrect message that if kids just use a condom, it will be "safe sex" and protect them from STDs and pregnancy. Teens must understand that condoms have the highest failure rate of any birth control method. Condoms have been proven to greatly reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS if used correctly every time, provide some protection from STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, but provide only limited protection from HPV and other STDs spread by skin to skin contact such as herpes and syphilis. While sexually active adolescents should use a condom to decrease risks (but definitely not eliminate their risks), they should NOT get the false message that this is "safe sex." (NIH Scientific Panel, July 2001).

9. Do abstinence programs really work?
Abstinence education programs have repeatedly been shown to reduce sexual activity among their participants.

10. How effective is this program?
Data collected by the Scott & White Sex Education Program shows a statistically significant knowledge gain and change in attitude moving toward abstinence.