Science Strategies for Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement
Slide 1 - Introduction
Good afternoon and welcome to this regarding Sexual Health Services on secondary school campuses in Florida:
I’m Ksena Zipperer, Coordinator of Florida’s School-based HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project 
Slide 2 - Conference Call Etiquette
During the webinar we will have all phone lines muted. 
If you have a question for the presenter, please post 
 your question in the chat box. 
This webinar is being recorded. 
 Audio: United States (Toll-free): 1 (877) 309-2071  United States: +1 (562) 247-8421 
    Access Code: 500-809-356
Slide 3 - Objectives
In today’s webinar we hope to achieve the following: 
•	Identify challenges that impact student health and academic achievement 
•	Identify Florida standards and benchmarks that are aligned with instruction to positively affect health and academic achievement 
•	Recognize the impact of implementing evidence-based “family life” curricula
•	Learn how one partner district has implemented an evidence-based “family life” curriculum through science 
•	Identify available resources from state and national sources
Slide 4 - Presenters
Ksena Zipperer, ESHE/SHS Coordinator 
 School-Based HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project 
 University of South Florida
 Ksena.zipperer@fldoe.org
 Patricia Duncan, Secondary Science Specialist 
Florida Department of Education
Patricia.Duncan@fldoe.org  
Dr. Alan Cox, Divisional Director for Professional Standards 
Leon County School District 
coxa@leonschools.net
Charlotte Bleiler, Science Teacher Godby High School 
Leon County School District
bleilerc@leonschool.net
Slide 5 - HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project
In 2013 Florida received funding from the CDC to support the School-Based, HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project.  Why? Because of the challenges facing our students. We know that many teens engage in risky behaviors like unsafe sexual practices that can effect their health and academic performance.  School health and science education, school-linked health services, and safe and supportive school environments can reduce these risk behaviors among young people and have a positive effect on academic achievement."
The challenges: 
•	teens’ risky sexual behaviors 
•	unsafe sexual practices  
•	effects to health and academic performance
Schools can provide:
•	health and science education                                                
•	school-linked health services, and 
•	safe and supportive school environments 
Slide 6 - Project Outcomes
•	Outcomes: reduced risk behaviors among young people, positive effects on health and academic achievement
Source: Dr. Stephanie Zaza, MD, MPH - CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service, Former Director, Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
If schools and communities work together we can have and reduce risk behaviors and positively impact health and academic achievement. 
Slide 7 Importance of Sexual Risk Behavior Information for Florida School District Leadership
Florida 
•	Second in newly diagnosed HIV cases
•	Third in cumulative AIDS cases
•	21st in the nation in births to teens 

U.S.
•	1 in 4 teens in the U.S. will be be pregnant by age 19.
•	1 in 2 young people will contract an STD by age 2
   Sources: FLDOH and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy 2014
•	Ksena: Florida ranks second in the number of HIV cases reported. 
•	Florida ranks third in the number of cumulative AIDS cases nationwide
•	We ranks 21st  in the nation in births to teens.  
 In the U.S. overall:  
•	1 in 4 teens girls in the US will be be pregnant by age 19 and just 50% of those will receive a diploma with their class. 
•	30% of teens girls who have dropped out of high school cite pregnancy or parenthood as a reason. 
•	Astounding to note that 50% of young people will contract an STD by age 25. 
Slide 8 - Sexual Risk Behavior of Florida’s Youth
•	40% of students in grades 9 through 12 (approximately 278,127 students)        	reported having sexual intercourse at least once.
•	9% of males and 2% of females (approximately 30,744 and 7,464 students 	 	respectively) had intercourse for the first time before age 13.
•	24% of 9th graders (approximately 44,495 students) have had sexual intercourse 	at least once.
•	57% of 12th graders (approximately 88,827 students) have had sexual 		intercourse at least once.
•	52% of 12th graders (approximately 82,200 students) have engaged in oral sex 	at least once.
•	17% of 12th graders (approximately 26,806 students) have had sex with multiple 	partners (four or more during their lifetime)
                                          Source: Florida’s 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey
Slide 9 - Sexual Risk Behavior of Florida’s Youth (Cont)
•	50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma with their cohort.
•	30% of teen girls who drop out of school cite parenthood.
Slide 10 - Project Components
Assisting 12 partner districts to improve student health and academic achievement through:
•	Exemplary Sexual Health Education (ESHE)
•	Safe and Supportive Environments (SSE)
•	Sexual Health Services (SHS) 
Ksena: Florida’s School-Based HIV/STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project is working to address the challenges school districts are facing by providing TA, PD and resources to 12 partner school districts:  Brevard,  Columbia,  Flagler,  Lee,  Leon,  Liberty,  Manatee,  Orange,  Pasco,  Pinellas,  Putnam,  Washington.  In addition, the PD and resources developed by our project are available to all Florida School Districts. 
Our staff is working with districts to implement exemplary sexual health education (ESHE),  safe and supportive environments (SSE) and sexual health services (SHS).
In this presentation today we’re focusing on providing all of you with some strategies for improving ESHE. 
Slide 11 - ESHE Defintion
Exemplary Sexual Health Education
•	  Evidence-based, evidence informed/promising curriculum 
•	  Trained teachers, knowledgeable in current theory and practice delivering medically accurate and science-based  information  
•	  Teachers following guidance concerning sexual health education and school district policy 
•	  Schools in which students learn to develop healthy relationships  
•	  Schools in which students are regularly assessed on skills 
    Source – CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health
Slide 12 -  What is sexual health education?
Lessons should be taught K-12, and be designed to meet the needs of students at the various age and grade levels. 
 Specific content and curriculum is determined by local school district policy.
Through Florida Statute: 
Sexual health education addresses reproductive health, interpersonal relationships and communication, affection, body image, gender roles, abstinence, and disease and pregnancy prevention options. Lessons that would be considered part of age appropriate sexual health education should be taught K-12, and are designed to meet the needs of students at the various age and grade levels. The specific content of curriculum and instruction is determined by local school district policy.
Slide 13 Do Floridians support sexual health education?
2013 – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) call back survey.  
Would you allow your [CHILD] to participate in grade level appropriate human sexuality education at his or her school?
80.3% 
The clearest finding across all of the data is the striking similarity of opinions regarding sexuality education across each of the three counties. Despite wide differences in party identification, median household income, population density and racial make-up, the counties’ aggregate opinions are very supportive of sexuality education being taught in schools. 
•	Over 85% of all respondents (Brevard-89%, Columbia-86%, Lee-89%) would prefer sexuality education that promotes abstinence and teaches birth control options and safer sex practices, rather than sexuality education that strictly promotes abstinence. 
Slide 14 - Is sexual health education required instruction in Florida?
  Yes, it is required through Comprehensive Health Education, Florida State Statute 1003.42 (2)(n).
Parents can choose to opt their children out of the sexual health component of comprehensive health education. 
Instead of speaking about sexual health education, some districts use exact verbiage from 1003.42.  They refer to this instruction as family life or human growth and development.  However, topics that fall under the umbrella of sexual health education can also be found in the health topic areas of mental and emotional health, personal health and prevention and control of disease. 
Slide 15 - Florida State Statute
Health Education; Instruction in Acquired 
Immune Deficiency Syndrome
1003.46(1) Each district school board may provide instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome education to include:
•	Known modes of transmission
•	Signs and symptoms
•	Risk factors associated with AIDS
•	Means used to control the spread of HIV
•	Appropriate to grade level 
•	Current theory and practice regarding HIV and its      prevention 
•	Must include instruction in abstinence from sexual activity 
Slide 16 - Sexual Health Policy and Programs
•	Florida statues requires benefits of abstinence be stressed to students when sexual health education is taught. 
•	Benefits of abstinence can be stressed within abstinence-only, abstinence-plus, or comprehensive sexual health education.
•	Districts choose the appropriate curriculum based on the needs of students and to reflect local values and concerns.
•	-  Florida law requires the benefits of abstinence be stressed to students. That does not mean your district must provide abstinence only education. 
•	- The benefits of abstinence can be stressed within abstinence-only, abstinence-plus, or comprehensive sexual health education. 
•	- Districts choose the appropriate curriculum based on the needs of students and to reflect local values and concerns.
Slide 17 -  What is your district policy?
•	Abstinence-Only 
•	Abstinence-Plus
•	Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
•	Abstinence-Based (Plus) Sexual Health Education
•	Emphasizes the benefits of abstinence and includes information about contraception and disease prevention methods.  This type of program is also referred to as abstinence-plus or abstinence-centered.
•	Abstinence-Only Sexual Health Education
•	Emphasizes abstinence from all sexual behaviors and may not include information regarding contraception (except in terms of failure rates) or disease prevention methods.
•	Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
•	K-12 sexual health education programs address sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, gender roles, abstinence, and contraceptive options.  
Slide 18 - How do you make decisions about sexual health policy?
1. Identify the problem. 
2. Gather data.
3. Develop and implement plan.
4. Monitor and evaluate the plan.
5. Determine next steps.
Slide 19 - Interpreting Local Data
•	Births to teen mothers
•	 STD rates among youth
•	 HIV rates
•	 Teens enrolled in teen parent programs
•	 Drop out data     
 For county specific demographic and health data go to the School-aged Child and Adolescent Profiles on Florida Charts. 
www.floridacharts.com/charts/SpecReport.aspx?RepID=7245&tn=31 
You all have copies of the data sheets for your county there to refer to.  
•	  Births to teen mothers
•	  STD rates among youth
•	   HIV rates
•	   Number of teen mothers enrolled in teen parent education programs in the school district   
•	   Drop out data     
Go to Florida Charts for county specific data. 
http://www.floridacharts.com/charts/SpecReport.aspx?RepID=7245&tn=31
You can also refer to Florida Charts.  The school-aged child and adolescent profiles data is especially useful. 
Slide 20 - Local Data
Does local data reflect that the sexual health education needs of students are being met?
In Florida, the specific content of curriculum and instruction is determined by local school district policy.  The quality of a comprehensive health education program and the type of “family life” instruction that is being delivered depend on the policy adopted by the school board.  In some counties the school board also determines the type of curriculum that will be used to teach sexual health or disease prevention.  Section 1003.42 (3) of the Florida Statutes states: “Course descriptions for comprehensive health education shall not interfere with the local determination of appropriate curriculum which reflects local values and concerns.” The method used to measure values in the community varies across school districts.  Some districts have conducted an opinion survey of adults to determine the type of sexual health education policy the community will support. 
Slide 21 - District Policy
Does district policy reflect the local values and concerns of the community related to sexual health education? 
Slide 22 - Local Survey data
Has a survey been conducted in your county? 
Slide 23 - Curriculum and Instruction
•	Courses used to deliver sexual health
•	  Professional development for teachers 
•	  Guidance for instruction 
•	  Curriculum or texts being used for sexual 
    health education 
Slide 24 -  Impacting Births to Teens
Manatee County School District – It’s yoUR Choice Project 
•	Evidence-based, medically accurate curriculum in middle and high schools identified as high risk
•	Additional lessons provided in a mobile health education bus 
•	An innovative peer educator program  
38% drop in births to teens in a three year period
Since 2010, It’s yoUR Choice has been implementing a teen pregnancy prevention program which has led to a 38% decrease in births to teens in Manatee County. It’s yoUR Choice provides:
•	An evidence-based, medically accurate sexual health education curriculum delivered in middle and high schools identified as high risk
•	Additional lessons provided in a mobile health education bus staffed by an educator who travels to at-risk neighborhoods to provide onsite teen pregnancy prevention and sexual health education 
•	An innovative peer educator program in which a group of youth undergo extensive training and are sent out into the community to educate parents and youth about teen pregnancy prevention, sexual health, and other related teen health and social issues.  
This Florida success story was chosen to be presented at the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Conference in July 2016. 
Slide 25 - Births to Teens Impacts
Possible loss of funding to districts due to births to teens 
One large Florida school district had 985 births to teens ages 15-19 in 2014.
Districts receive between $5,500 – $6,000 per student for those students present during the October and February reporting periods. 
Half of 985 = 496
496 x $5,500  
Possible loss to district in one year = $2,728,000
Slide 26 - Secondary Science
Presented by: 
Patricia Duncan, Secondary Science Program Specialist
Bureau of Standards & Instructional Support
Slide 27 - Sexual Health Education Topics
Slide 28 - Florida Health Standard Integrated in Science Courses
•	3 Middle School Standards
•	4 High School Standards
•	Comprehensive Science vs. Life in Middle Grades
•	Biology Requirement
•	The review of the Florida Next Generation Science Standards for grades 6-12 revealed three middle school and four high school standards that align with the 16 critical sexual health education standards (previous slide).
•	Districts have the option of teaching either comprehensive science in middle grades or to teach life, earth and physical independently.
Slide 29 - Middle Grade Standards
•	SC.6.L.14.5
Identify and investigate the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, excretory, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal) and describe ways these systems interact with each other to maintain homeostasis.
•	SC.6.L.14.6
Compare and contrast types of infectious agents that may infect the human body, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
•	SC.7.L.16.3
Compare and contrast the general processes of sexual reproduction requiring meiosis and asexual reproduction requiring mitosis.
Depending on how the district chooses to teach science in the middle grades, these standards could be split between 6th and 7th grade comprehensive or taught together in a year of life science. 
Slide 30 - High School Standards
•	SC.912.L.14.33
Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system.
Now I would like to look at the four standards found in grades 9-12 which are aligned to a portion of the 16 critical sexual health education topics.
This particular standard, SC.912.L.14.33 is only found in one course which is Anatomy and Physiology. 
Slide 31 - high School Standards- Biology and Beyond
•	SC.912.L.14.52
Explain the basic functions of the human immune system, including specific and nonspecific immune response, vaccines, and antibiotics.
•	SC.912.L.14.6
Explain the significance of genetic factors, environmental factors, and pathogenic agents to health from the perspectives of both individual and public health.
•	SC.912.L.16.13
Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system. Describe the process of human development from fertilization to birth and major changes that occur in each trimester of pregnancy.
These standards are a part of the Biology I course in addition to others.  So this is material that is already being taught throughout the school year in biology which will fall somewhere between 8th and 10th grade depending on the district and student.
Slide 32 - Science Courses
•	M/J Life Science
•	M/J Comprehensive Science 1, M/J Comprehensive Science 1 Advanced
•	M/J Earth/Space Science, M/J Earth/Space Science Advanced
•	M/J International Baccalaureate MYP Life Science
•	M/J Physical Science, M/J Physical Science Advanced
•	Human Body Systems
•	Biology 1, Biology 1 Honors, Biology 2 Honors
•	FL Pre-IB Biology 1, IB Biology 1, IB Biology 2, IB Biology 3, IB MYP Biology
•	AP Biology
•	Anatomy and Physiology, Anatomy and Physiology Advanced
•	Pre-AICE Biology IG, AICE Biology 1 AS
Slide 33 - Logistics of Sexual Health Education in Science
•	Post-assessment possibilities
•	Evidence-based or promising curriculum
•	To be clear, we are teaching the standards as part of our science courses.  
•	CDC has provided guidance to school districts to implement either a promising or evidence-based sexual health curriculum.  Although promising curricula have been deemed science-based and medically accurate, evidence-based curriculum have been subjected to stringent evaluation processes and shown to be effective in changing attitudes and behaviors. 
•	Some districts have made the choice to use an evidence-based sexual health curriculum after the state assessment.  For instance in biology, teachers are teaching this curriculum after the Bio EOC.  As a bio teacher I know that I was always looking for something that would be engaging and relevant for my students after the EOC.  Later in this presentation we will hear from someone who has had success with that very thing.
•	Luckily there are resources are available for teachers.  It will not add on to the time that they have to spend lesson planning or searching for resources and it is free.  I have become familiar with two evidence-based curriculum options.  I would like to share those with you quickly and encourage you to dig a little deeper on what might best suit the needs of your students.
Slide 34 - 3R’s Curriculum
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/3rs-curriculum
Slide 35 Safer Choices Curriculum
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/1128-ss
Slide 42 - Charlotte Beiler, Leon County Instructor
•	When did you provide the Safer Choices curriculum? 
-May of last year.
•	How many lessons were provided? 
Three to four.
•	How did the students respond? 
-The students really liked it overall. Its not about scare tactics or making them feel bad, so the kids really were interested. They were honest with questions. I had a lot of people ask if they are going to do it again this year. I got a lot of positive feedback from it.
•	What is your overall opinion regarding implementation through Biology? 
-	I think it’s good because biology teachers have the science background and so we use those terms a lot and have already incorporated this information throughout the year and established that relationship with the students. It would be nice to have more time, but it does work out because having it after the EOC results in a lot of down time, and its hard to motivate your students when know what the test is on, so this is something they want to learn and something that is going to peak there interests, so you still have a high engagement level at the end with it, so I think it works out pretty well. 

Slide 36 - Leon County Success Story
•	Dr. Alan Cox,
               Divisional Director for Professional Standards Leon County School District 
•	Charlotte Bleiler, Science Teacher 
               Godby High School, Leon County School District 
Slide 37 - Why Evidence based curricula for Leon County
Consistent with curriculum choices in all areas
•	Reading programs – only evidence-based
•	Substance abuse and other preventative education programs – only evidence-based
Slide 38 - How did the District Choose
Consulted with DOE for vetted, evidence-based possibilities
Formed a Review Committee
•	Health Professional
•	Classroom Teacher
•	School-based Administrator
•	District Administrator
•	Parent
Slide 39 - Why implement through Biology?
No stand alone Health class at high school level
Health Opportunities through Physical Education
  (HOPE)
•	Good, but taught by Physical Education teachers who shy away from sensitive health topics
  ALL students required to take Biology
•	 Biology covers body systems and reproductive system 
•	 Biology taught in 8th, 9th, and 10th grades – early intervention
Slide 40 - Implementation Progress
All Biology teachers trained
•	2 full days
•	National trainer
All Biology students received information
•	May – after course exams
Slide 41 - Teacher Feedback
•	To date, no survey of teachers
•	Positive after training
•	May was first time given to students
•	No negative from parents or groups
Slide 43 - Questions for Presenters
Slide 44 - SHE 101 Online PD Workshop
•	Offered online through PAEC’s ePDC Learns Academy
•	 Free of charge to participants
•	 First come, first served basis
•	 For registration information contact,
     ksena.zipperer@fldoe.org 
•	 Session ends on Friday, June 9, 2017. 
Slide 45 - Florida’s Sexual Health Education Community Outreach Tool Kit
•	Information and coalition building tool 
•	Many resources included
www.fldoe.org/schools/safe-healthy-schools/healthy-schools/sexual-edu/community-outreach-tool-kit.stml  
Slide 46 - Office of Healthy Schools Summer Academy
•	June 14-15, 2017, at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton, FL.
•	Online registration is$60 per person and can be accessed via the Healthy Schools Summer Academy website, (www.healthyschoolssummeracademy.org/) March 10 through April 21, 2017.
•	For more information, please contact the FDOE health education coordinator, Michelle L. Gaines, by email at Michelle.Gaines@fldoe.org or by phone at 850-245-0978.