A Lot More Light Than Heat : A San Diego County elementary school district reapproves contraception education

With the subject of birth control and sex education on the agenda, it’s not surprising that the meeting went on so long. Indeed, last week’s school board meeting at the Escondido Union Elementary School District in San Diego County lasted past midnight. What was surprising was that the debate was calm and rational. No heat and hysteria about abortion. No moral accusations. Other communities should learn from Escondido’s example.

The issue was whether to continue an 8-year practice of providing contraceptive information, now part of the seventh-grade curriculum. Hardly everyone agreed, of course. There were concerns that including information on contraceptives in a program that emphasizes abstinence sends kids a mixed message. Some parents argued that birth control information should come at home.

For a time the board majority was leaning against contraceptive instruction. But when all but two of the 24 parents, teachers and students who testified said they favored retaining contraceptive instruction, one school board member changed her mind and the board moved to OK continued birth control education.

What a refreshing change from the usual acrimony about school-based clinics and whether they should give out birth control information.

Although AIDS is receiving increased attention in school curricula, pregnancy prevention still often is ignored. One of the major obstacles is community outcry over topics such as contraception and abortion.

The Escondido district did not let such fears deter it from pursuing sound educational policy. Administrators made sure that everyone was heard. A committee of parents, teachers and administrators and a community advisory panel including police officers, doctors, city officials and clergy studied the issue 18 months.

The district policy that was adopted accommodates both proponents and opponents. Parents who do not want their seventh-graders exposed to birth control information can pull their children out of the class.

Meanwhile, children who need the information because their parents don’t provide it--and those whose parents want formal instruction to augment what they teach--are not deprived of this vital instruction.

Parents, teachers, administrators, the school board and the community deserve credit for keeping cool over this emotional issue. Public health has been well served.