National Sex Ed Standards: Equity and expanded comfort zones

National Sex Ed Standards: Equity and expanded comfort zones

Author: Ethical Schools February 12, 2022 Duration: 32:00
We speak with Brittany McBride, Associate Director, Sexuality Education at Advocates for Youth, who partners with schools to provide the complete sex education that all students deserve. Though parents, students, and teachers largely agree on sex ed’s importance, few  teachers (other than health teachers and PE coaches) have any formal training, and many parents haven’t had sex ed themselves. Overview 00:00-00:26 Intros 00:26-00:56 Advocates for Youth 00:56-01:57 National Sex Education Standards; why they matter 01:57-02:36 How the Standards were developed 02:36-03:38 Key elements of the Standards 03:38-04:08 Teacher autonomy 04:08-06:00 Range of state standards across the country 06;00-07:47 Relationship between state and national standards 07:47-09:02 Adaptation guide 09:02-10:21 Helping teachers become comfortable teaching sex ed 10:21-13:37 Virtual Professional Development; what it is, how to access it 13:37-14:31 Advocates for Youth’s capacity 14:31-15:59 Pre-service training on sex ed: who gets it and who doesn’t 15:59-18:22 Teachers asked to teach sex ed without advance preparation 18:22-21:46 Resistance to/support for sex ed 21:46-23:49 How parents can support/defend sex ed 23:49-26:03 Many parents say they haven’t had sex ed themselves; resources

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Ethical Schools
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