Difficulties in implementing sex education--the Nevada experience.

Abstract

The Nevada sex education law is described along with the duties of the resultant Sex Education Advisory Committee in Clark County efforts to cope with the opposition current status of the program and suggestions for those states and school districts just initiating a sex education program. The State of Nevada passed Assembly Bill No. 650 related to sex education in May 1979. The following were among the major legislative points regarding the implementation of sex education in Nevadas school systems: 1) the board of trustees of a school district may establish a course or unit of a course of instruction on the human reproductive system related communicable diseases and sexual responsibility; 2) if a school board establishes such a course it shall appoint an advisory committee consisting of 4 parents of children who attend schools in the districts and 3 representatives 1 from each of the following professions or occupations--medicine or nursing counseling religion or school students; and 3) the subjects of the course may be taught only by a teacher or school nurse whose qualifications have been previously approved by the board of trustees. There were certain interpretive problems with the bill and these exemplify the importance of clarification of the intent of an actual law pertaining to sex education. At this time in Clark County the Sex Education Advisory Committee has completed its review of curricular and audio-visual materials to be used in the school district and the school board has approved these materials. Suggestions for future program developers in sex education include: becoming involved in legislative efforts to develop a law regarding sex education; and providing input to elected public officials.