Sex education by school district

The type of sex education in each school district was determined from an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette survey.

1. No sex education – A school district in the first category reported that it teaches no sex education.

2. Abstinence-Only Education – Programs in the second category may address sexual abuse and how to report it but often do not address rape. They do not discuss contraceptives, abortion or sexual orientation. Sexually transmitted infections may be discussed, but it is to show students that the way to avoid contracting these infections is through a long-term monogamous relationship – usually marriage. These programs often include differentiated education for boys and girls and virginity pledges.

3. Arkansas Department of Education Standards – Programs in the third category reported that they follow the education department’s standards, whether in the canned response provided to superintendents in a memo, or by reporting that they use Virtual Arkansas, an online course that follows the standards. Some schools that use Virtual Arkansas to teach health also use the course as a computer credit. The department’s standards are abstinence-focused and do not address abortion or sexual orientation. Contraceptives and sexually transmitted infections are discussed.

4. Abstinence-Plus – Programs in the fourth category take an abstinence-focused approach to sex education. This is often through curriculums like Choosing the Best or Reality Check, which begin educating children at a young age and discuss contraception, healthy relationships, sexual violence and compatible personality traits. These programs sometimes include a virginity pledge.

5. Comprehensive Sex Education – These programs address all or almost all aspects of sexual education, including different types of contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections, abortion and sexual orientation. There is not a focus on abstinence, and students are often informed on where and how to access birth control or condoms.