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The majority of decisions about sexuality education are made at the local level. As a
result, you will likely spend most of your time as an advocate for comprehensive
sexuality education working with your school board members. Below are some tips to
assist you.
Get to Know the School Board
Contact each school board member personally. Determine their educational priorities
and their support for comprehensive sexuality education. Publicize their responses.
Remember that the school board is an elected body. During elections, find out each
candidate’s position on sexuality education and inform the community. Organize a
voter registration drive and urge people to vote for candidates who support a
comprehensive approach to sexuality education. School board elections typically have
a low voter turnout—you can make a big difference in the quality of sexuality education
in your community by urging the people you know to vote!
An even better idea is to encourage members of your advocacy group to run for seats
on the school board! Or, how about you!
Let School Board Members Get to Know You
Introduce yourself to the school board members and provide them with research and
relevant literature. Tailor the information to each board member’s key concerns. For
example, if you learn that one school board member is most concerned about teen
pregnancy, be sure to provide that person with information about how the teen pregnancy
rates in your community compare to state and national averages.
If possible, do this before the school board needs to consider making any decisions
regarding sexuality education in the district. This will let them know that you are a
reliable source of information and make them more likely to turn to you when a
situation arises.
Have members of your advocacy group take turns attending meetings. Make sure
someone is present at all school board meetings. These meetings are often sparsely
attended so even a few people can make a strong impact. Regular attendance prior
to any controversy or decision about sexuality education can increase your credibility
with the board members.
Testify at school board meetings.
Coordinate your testimony with other
people so that your three or four key
messages are reiterated.
Encourage community members to
contact the school board members. Even
a few calls, letters, or e-mails can make
a big difference in the outcome of a
debate about sexuality education. |
SET REASONABLE GOALS
Do not expect a comprehensive sexuality
education program to drastically change
your community’s teen pregnancy and
STD rates, and don’t promise that they
will. It takes a wide-reaching, consistent
effort over time to change sexual risk
behaviors and social norms. |
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