Texas moves away from abstinence-only sex education

Although most Texans are known for their strong conservative values and religious beliefs, even they are unable to deny the massive failure of abstinence-only education in their schools systems. In fact, some school districts in the state are finally experiencing an excruciatingly slow crawl toward comprehensive sex education. 

Why now? Because the proof is in the pudding: Texas has been spending the most government funding on abstinence-only education. Despite their "no sex until marriage" curriculum, teens are still having sex...and a lot of it. 

According to Think Progress, Texas ranks in at number three for the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country. When it comes to the highest rate of repeat teen births, the red state takes the prize. To be more specific, Child Trends, a nonpartisan national research group, said that in 2006, Dallas had the highest percentage of repeat teen birth at 28 percent. Houston takes the lead when it comes to the highest number of girls under 15 giving birth. 

Fortunately Whitney Self, who is the lead teacher for health and physical education at the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, is not oblivious to how badly abstinence-only education has failed her students. 

"We don't think abstinence-only is working," Self said when explaining her school district's new approach to sex education. 

Hays Consolidated Independent School District is now shifting toward comprehensive sex ed, where abstinence is still emphasized. However, the curriculum also provides information on contraception in case the students are sexually active. 

Giving students options and information to protect themselves is key. If a conservative state like Texas can realize that, no other place in the U.S. can have an excuse.