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We recently noted the defeat of an IUD bill in the Colorado legislature, along with statistics about how Colorado stacked up with other states when it comes to teen pregnancy.
This topic got us to thinking about the topic of sex education — and judging by 2012 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, Colorado is doing a particular mediocre job.
The CDC breaks down data pertaining to middle schools and high schools in the state in ten different categories, including HIV prevention, student knowledge of human sexuality and more.
In only one of those categories didn’t the percentage of schools working toward those goals in Colorado exceed the national percentage.
Look below to see the photo-illustrated details, and for more details, click here.
Percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on HIV prevention in a required course
National: 88.7 (Median range: 42.0 – 96.3)
Colorado: 68.8 (Median range: 64.3 – 73.1)
Percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on human sexuality in a required course
National: 83.9 (Median range: 38.9 – 96.3)
Colorado: 70.0 (Median range: 65.2 – 74.4)
Percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on pregnancy prevention in a required course
National: 81.8 (Median range: 34.3 – 93.3)
Colorado: 66.5 (Median range: 61.7 – 70.9)
Percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on STD prevention in a required course
National: 88.7 (Median range: 39.9 – 96.3)
Colorado: 70.8 (Median range: 66.2 – 75.1)
Percentage of schools that taught 12 key HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention topics in a required course during grades 6, 7, or 8
National: 39.4 (Median range: 10.7 – 65.3)
Colorado: 27.4 (22.3 – 33.2)
Percentage of schools that taught 9 key HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention topics in a required course during grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
National: 76.0 (Median range: 29.7 – 96.3)
Colorado: 54.4 (Median range: 46.6 – 61.9)
Percentage of schools that taught 4 key topics related to condom use in a required course during grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
National: 38.6 (Median range: 0.0 – 85.4)
Colorado: 36.4 (Median range: 29.6 – 43.9)
Percentage of schools that taught about 7 contraceptives in a required course during grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
National: 37.7 (Median range: 7.9 – 89.4)
Colorado: 38.6 (Median range: 31.8 – 45.9)
Percentage of schools that taught 4 contraceptive topics in a required course during grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
National: 46.4 (Median range: 0.0 – 89.0)
Colorado: 41.3 (Median range: 34.0 – 49.0)
Percentage of schools that taught how to access valid and reliable health information, products, or services related to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy in a required course
National: 76.2 (27.0 – 87.9)
Colorado: 58.3 (53.6 – 62.9)
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
