SMCISD ditches abstinence-only sex ed

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - Denise Alaniz, 33, graduated from San Marcos High School 15 years ago.

The mother said she hopes her daughter, who is going to be a sophomore, will not follow in her footsteps.

"I had my daughter when I was 17," said Alaniz. "My parents went to church. Of course, they teach abstinence, but you’re a teenager. You’re going to rebel, and I did not know the full facts."

Alaniz’s mother was a teen mom, too, and she said she is relieved to hear the district is saying goodbye to the Scott and White Worth the Wait abstinence-only curriculum that many local schools still use.

"There’s a lot of people coming out pregnant, and you ask yourself, ‘What’s going on?’" said Alaniz.

At Monday night's school board meeting, members said there were around 70 teen moms in the district last year.

Monday night, they voted to start teaching Abstinence Plus. It is a program for grades six through 12 that not only teaches waiting but also educates students on how to have safe sex with the use of birth control and condoms.

A former science teacher and a local pediatrician were the only two who spoke to the board before the decision. Both were in support of teaching more options.

"The abstinence-only programs have not been proven effective," said local pediatrician Dr. Sue Ann Harrison. "Both birth rates and STDs have increased since those programs have been in effect."

Two board members , David Castillo and Jesse Ponce, voted against the new curriculum. Castillo said it does not line up with his Christian values.

Judy Allen said if it prevents one teen from getting pregnant, it is worth it.

Just like the abstinence-only curriculum, parents still have a choice for their child to participate.

"Any parents can ask that their child not receive that instruction," said Pam Guettner, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District curriculum director.

There is no question Alaniz’s daughter will be there.

"You’ve just got to be honest these days," said Alaniz. "You can’t hide it anymore because they’re going to do it."

In June, Lake Travis ISD board members approved the same sex education curriculum. As with most district programs, Lake Travis parents can opt out as well and remove their students from parts of these programs or the entire sex education lesson.

Hays Consolidated ISD just finished its secnd year of using Abstinence Plus and said they believe it has been successful.