What Students Really Need from Sex Education | Shafia Zaloom

What Students Really Need from Sex Education | Shafia Zaloom

Author: Harvard Graduate School of Education March 11, 2026 Duration: 27:48
What do students really need from sex education today? Health educator Shafia Zaloom says schools must move beyond basic biology lessons to teach consent, relationships, identity, and communication. In this episode of the Harvard EdCast, Zaloom explains why comprehensive sexuality education should be part of the broader school experience and how educators and school leaders can navigate resistance while supporting student well-being. In this episode you'll learn: *Why consent education alone isn’t enough *What comprehensive sexuality education really means *Why schools shouldn’t silo sex education in health class *How educators can navigate political and parent pushback

Each week, The Harvard EdCast cuts through the noise surrounding schools and learning to explore a fundamental question: what actually works? Produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this podcast moves from early childhood through higher education and into the workforce, examining the ideas and policies that shape how we learn. Conversations with classroom teachers, academic researchers, system leaders, and policymakers-both in the United States and internationally-form the core of every episode. Rather than dwelling solely on problems, these discussions seek out constructive, evidence-based approaches to the most pressing challenges in education today. It’s a space for thoughtful dialogue that connects research to practice, considering the profound impact education has on culture and society at large. By listening, you gain access to diverse perspectives on creating meaningful change for students, educators, and families. The weekly format ensures a consistent and deep dive into the topics that matter, making this podcast a resource for anyone invested in the future of learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Harvard EdCast
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 30:43
University of Birmingham’s Vicky Goodyear and Harvard’s Carrie James discuss research on school phone bans and the challenges and limits of keeping phones out of the classroom.
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