Selecting Sex Education Cirricula
EVIDENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE-INFORMED OPTIONS FOR K-12
With over 25 years of experience, EyesOpenIowa has been a leader in providing adolescent sexual health education. We have collaborated with school districts across Iowa and nationally, equipping teachers and educators with the knowledge and skills to deliver comprehensive sexual health education programs.
We offer a variety of curricular trainings and can provide both initial training and ongoing assistance. We understand the importance of selecting curricula that meet state and school district mandates while aligning with your school's vision and staffing capacity. Our consulting services provide valuable support in curricula selection, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive sexual health education program.
This page simply provides an overview, but for more information on curricula options or to discuss training or consulting possibilities, please reach out to us at info@eyesopeniowa.org or call 515-276-6788.
Information on this page is from ETR Associates and is listed in alphabetical order. Curriculum with a (*) is in wide use across the state of Iowa.
All4You!
The primary goal of All4You! is to reduce the number of students who have unprotected sexual intercourse, which is associated with increased risk of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unplanned pregnancy. The program also aims to change key determinants related to sexual risk taking, such as attitudes, beliefs, and perceived norms.
The target audience is students in alternative high school settings who are between ages 14 and 18. The intervention is designed to be delivered by health educators or classroom teachers during classroom sessions and service-learning visits in the community.
All4You! includes 14 lessons—9 featuring skill development and 5 involving service visits in the community. Classroom lessons range from 70–90 minutes each; service-learning visits require approximately 140 minutes, which includes travel time to and from a service- learning site.
All4You2!
All4You2! Is an approved adaptation of All4You! that uses 15 lessons and does not contain a service learning component.
Be Proud! Be Responsible!
Be Proud! Be Responsible! is a six-part evidence-based curriculum that provides adolescents with the knowledge, motivation, and skills necessary to change their behaviors in ways that will reduce their risk of pregnancy or contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. To change behavior, adolescents need not only information and a perception of personal vulnerability, but also the skills and the confidence in their ability to act safely. The curriculum consists of six 50-minute sessions, which can be presented over one to six days.
The Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum was designed to be used with small groups ranging from 6 to 12 participants, but it has been implemented in recent years in settings with larger numbers of youth. The curriculum can be implemented in various community settings, including schools or youth-serving agencies.
Be Proud! Be Responsible! Be Protective!
Be Proud! Be Responsible! Be Protective! was developed for adolescent mothers or pregnant girls and is an adaptation of the Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum.
This is an eight-part curriculum that provides adolescents with the knowledge, motivation, and skills necessary to change their behaviors in ways that will reduce their risk of contracting STDs, HIV, and unplanned or repeat pregnancies. The curriculum consists of eight 60-minute modules, which can be presented over one to eight days.
The program is delivered through structured activities, group discussions, viewing of DVDs, and role-plays.
Becoming A Responsible Teen
(B.A.R.T.) is an HIV prevention curriculum primarily designed for African American adolescents, ages 14-18, in non-school, community-based settings. It consists of eight sessions, 1.5 to 2 hours each, and includes interactive group discussions and role plays that have been created by teens. Teens learn to "spread the word" to their friends about HIV risks. They are encouraged to practice skills outside the group and share the results. The group provides creative solutions to reported problems.
Although the focus of Becoming a Responsible Teen is HIV/AIDS prevention, the curriculum includes topics and activities relevant to teen pregnancy prevention. Teens learn to clarify their own values about sexual decisions and pressures as well as practice skills to reduce sexual risk-taking. These include correct condom use, assertive communication, refusal techniques, self-management, and problem solving. Also, abstinence is woven throughout the curriculum and is discussed as the best way to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy.
Cuídate!
¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself) is a small-group, culturally based intervention to reduce HIV sexual risk among Latino youth. The program, recommended for use with grades 8-11, emphasizes risk reduction strategies such as sexual abstinence and condom use. The intervention curriculum is available in English and Spanish and is an adaptation of the Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum. The goal is for Latino/a youth to increase skills and self efficacy in negotiating abstinence and condom use.
*Draw the Line/Respect the Line
Draw the Line/Respect the Line (DTL/RTL) is a three-part program for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 designed to encourage youth to delay having sexual intercourse to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. This abstinence-focused program also emphasizes developing young people’s interpersonal and intrapersonal skills so that they can set sexual limits. For sexually experienced teens, the program focuses on reducing sexual activity and encouraging condom use.
The curriculum consists of 19 lessons; each is intended to be implemented during a 45–50- minute standard classroom timeframe. There are five grade 6 lessons, seven grade 7 lessons, and seven grade 8 lessons.
6th Grade Curriculum
The grade 6 curriculum includes five lessons that primarily focus on setting limits and refusal skills in non-sexual situations. Homework activities encourage parent–child discussion of cultural and family values and pressure situations for young people.7th Grade Curriculum
The grade 7 curriculum includes seven lessons that shift the focus to sexual situations; students learn about the consequences associated with sexual intercourse and are encouraged to set limits regarding sex. Students are also taught intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to help them maintain limits and respect the limits of others. Homework activities encourage parent–child discussion of intentions to avoid having sex and getting out of risky situations.8th Grade Curriculum
The grade 8 curriculum includes seven lessons that develop students’ practical skills. In these lessons, students learn how to use condoms and practice refusal skills in dating contexts. Homework activities encourage parent–child discussion of HIV and its impact on those who are affected by HIV.
*FLASH
FLASH is a popular sexual health curriculum that has been in use across the country for many years. It was developed by Public Health – King County, Seattle and is an evidence-informed curriculum. FLASH is currently undergoing a rigorous evaluation.
FLASH is a broad-based curriculum that includes sexual health, STDs, consent, contraception, and sexual violence. It is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and is designed to support young people in making healthy choices.
FLASH includes age appropriate lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school, as well as special education classes.
FLASH is available online with a license fee.
Making A Difference!
Making A Difference! An Abstinence Based Approach to Prevention of STDs, HIV and Teen Pregnancy is an eight-module curriculum that provides young adolescents with the knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to reduce their risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV, and pregnancy by abstaining from sex. It is based on cognitive behavioral theories, focus groups, and the researchers' extensive experience working with youth. Making A Difference! is an adaptation and extension of the original Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum in that it integrates STD, HIV and pregnancy prevention.
The target audience is young African-American, Hispanic and White adolescents, ages 11- 13, who attend middle schools and youth-serving community-based programs.
The Making A Difference! curriculum was designed to be used with small groups ranging from six to 12 participants, but it can be implemented with larger numbers of youth. The curriculum can be implemented in various community settings, including schools or youth- serving agencies.
*Making Proud Choices!
Making Proud Choices! A Safer Sex Approach to STDs, Teen Pregnancy, and HIV Prevention is an eight-module curriculum that provides young adolescents with the knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to reduce their risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV, and pregnancy by abstaining from sex or using condoms if they choose to have sex. It is based on cognitive behavioral theories, focus groups, and the researchers' extensive experience working with youth. Making Proud Choices! is an adaptation and extension of the original Be Proud! Be Responsible! curriculum in that it integrates STD, HIV and pregnancy prevention.
The target audience is young African-American, Hispanic and White adolescents, ages 11- 13, who attend middle schools and youth-serving community-based programs.
Making Proud Choices! was designed to be used with small groups ranging from six to twelve participants, but it can be implemented with larger numbers of youth. The curriculum can be implemented in various community settings, including schools or youth-serving agencies.
Promoting Health Among Teens! - Abstinence-Only (PHAT)
Promoting Health Among Teens! (PHAT) is an abstinence-based intervention designed to improve awareness and knowledge about HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); increase understanding of how abstinence can prevent pregnancy, HIV, and STIs; and build refusal and negotiation skills for practicing abstinence.
Available information describes the target population as African American male and female adolescents from low-income urban communities. The suggested age range is 8-13; however, the curriculum can be used with fidelity with adolescents older than 13. PHAT was designed to be used with small groups of adolescents in an urban area but can be adapted to be used with larger numbers of participants in rural areas as well. The curriculum can be implemented in various community settings, including schools or youth-serving agencies.
Reducing the Risk, 5th ed.
Reducing the Risk: Building Skills to Prevent Pregnancy, HIV & STD includes 16 well-defined lessons which clearly emphasize teaching refusal statements, delay statements and alternative actions students can use to abstain or protect. Directions for precourse preparation — obtaining parent permission, establishing ground rules, etc. — are included in the manual. Specific guidelines for class activities, background information for teachers, and complete lecture notes are also included.
Reducing the Risk curriculum includes supplemental material, Understanding Self-Identity, Building a Supportive Environment for LGBTQ Students. The supplemental materials create greater inclusiveness and relevance with in the program, and address common myths about the risks of LGBTQ youth. Supplemental was designed as an addition to the 16-class RTR curriculum, it provides suggestions for implementation as an adaptation of all 16 classes. In addition, two lessons on understanding self-identity are included.
*Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs)
This curriculum was recently developed by Advocates for Youth panel of adolescent sexual health experts. 3Rs is an evidence-informed curriculum and has been aligned with the National Sexual Health Education Standards and covers all 16 topics ecommended by the CDC for sexual health education.
The 3Rs Curriculum is evidence-informed and draws upon a body of multidisciplinary research and three learning theories, Social Learning Theory, Social Cognitive Theory and Social Ecological Model of Prevention. The curriculum and its lesson plans reflect best practices in teaching such as utilizing multiple intelligences and learning domains.
3Rs contains lesson plans for k-5, middle, and high schools. Lessons are designed to be built on one another, however, there is a lot of flexibility in using individual plans.
3Rs is free and available online. It is also available in Spanish. There is a teacher guide which provides considerable teacher support.
Safer Choices
The Safer Choices intervention consists of five primary components:
School Organization, featuring a School Health Promotion Council involving teachers, students, parents, administrators, and community representatives;
Curriculum and Staff Development, which includes a sequential 20-session classroom curriculum as well as staff awareness and training events;
Peer Resources and School Environment, which involves establishing a Safer Choices peer team or club that hosts school-wide activities;
Parent Education, featuring activities for parents such as parent newsletters, student-parent homework activities, and other parent events; and
School/Community Linkages, which involve activities to enhance students' familiarity with and access to support services outside school, such as homework to gather information about local services, resource guides, presentations by HIV positive speakers.
The Safer Choices curriculum is taught over two consecutive years, 10 lessons in Year One (Level One) and 10 lessons in Year Two (Level Two).
Sisters, Informing, Healing, Living, Empowering (SIHLE)
SIHLE is an adaptation of the SISTA intervention developed by the Midwest Prevention Intervention Center of the African American Prevention Network (MPIC-APIN) in St. Louis. It is a peer-led, group-level, social-skills training intervention designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors among African-American female teenagers who are at high risk of HIV. In addition to HIV prevention, the program addresses relationships, dating and sexual health within the specific context of the female African-American teenage experience, drawing upon both cultural and gender pride to give participants the skills and motivations to avoid HIV and other STDs.
The target audience for SIHLE is heterosexual African-American female teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 who have had sexual intercourse and are at risk for HIV.
SIHLE is delivered by a team of one adult and two peer facilitators who, like the participants, are African-American and female. Peer facilitators are between the ages of 18 and 21 — slightly older than the participants. Sessions are held in a community-based setting for small groups of between 10 and 12 participants.
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