Choosing the Best

At end of page, added a “Teacher Expectations” section that states the following:

Choosing the Best curricula are medically-based, medically-accurate, abstinence-centered sexual risk avoidance (SRA) programs.  In order to ensure program fidelity, accuracy and effectiveness, teachers should present the Choosing the Best curricula per the instructions outlined in the beginning of each Leader’s Guide, and continue to follow the specific instructions and script provided for each lesson. Further, teachers presenting Choosing the Best must refrain from:

1. Discussing religion or politics in any context;
   
   
2. Expressing value judgements, including on sensitive topics such as abortion;
   
   
3. Conducting “non-approved” activities, i.e., activities that are not provided in the Choosing the Best Leader Guide.

Further,  teachers should exercise caution in sharing personal stories, anecdotes, and/or opinions about the topic of relationships and/or sexual activity while presenting the curricula.

First SAY on page, replace the 750,000 with 562,000

Note:  This was updated 2/18 to 450,000.

Second column, after last sentence on page, please add the following:

Say: Some of you may have heard about the withdrawal or “pull-out” method for preventing pregnancy, which is when the male completely removes his penis from the vagina and the external genitalia of the female partner before he ejaculates. The problem with this method is that it’s very difficult to do it correctly, every single time, so it’s one of the least effective methods for pregnancy prevention.  And, it offers absolutely no protection against STDs.

Say:  It’s important to remember that a person can get pregnant, or get someone pregnant, the first time they have sex, even if they have sex just one time.

Middle column, delete the phrase “from the opposite sex”

First paragraph, where answer given is 10 million, please add the following phrase:

10 million-approximately half among males and half among females,...

Last column, right before last sentence that begins,  “Ask the class…”  Please add the following:

Say: It’s important to remember that a person can get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) including HIV, the first time they have sex, even if they have sex just one time.

Just following the #4 on the page about HPV, which ends with answers (no, vaccine), please add the following medical update:

Medical Update:  HPV-associated mouth/throat cancers have been rapidly increasing, in young men particularly. Most HPV-associated genital cancers, as well as HPV-associated throat cancers, could be prevented with the HPV vaccine.

Please add the following text at the end of this page, i.e., after the last paragraph on the page that ends 26%)

Teacher’s Note:  Please say the following when discussing Myth/Fact #4:  Say:  Currently available medications do not cure HIV infection or AIDS. They can suppress the virus and greatly prolong the lives of many people with HIV, and greatly lower their chance of infecting others, but they cannot eliminate HIV from the body. People at risk for HIV should be tested, so if they are infected, they can start treatment early.  A person taking HIV medications must take them the right way, every day, for the rest of their life and get regular check-ups with a doctor.  Preventing HIV infection is a far better strategy than treating it once you are infected.  Abstinence from sexual activity [oral, vaginal, or anal sex] is the only 100% effective way to prevent getting HIV sexually. [add endnote 2]

At the end of page 46,  Add a Teacher’s Note that says the following:

“These principles apply to all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Last column, please add this sentence as the last line in the “SAY”, in other words, add this after the sentence that ends…”from sexting”:

“There are risks for both girls and guys.”

Also, in the next paragraph, after the sentence that ends “page 52”. Please add the following:  Please note the following revision:  If the first question in the Student Manual states “Why did Amanda post her pictures on the internet?”  Please instead ask “How did Amanda’s pictures get posted on the internet?”

Middle column, after last sentence, please add the sentence:

“Both guys and girls can become addicted to porn.”

At the end of page 46,  Add a Teacher’s Note that says the following:

“These principles apply to all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

In Lesson #4, Please add the following as EN #2

CDC, About HIV/AIDS, May 30, 2017.  See also CDC, HIV Prevention, May 30, 2017.