Oregon Public Broadcasting

As of this year, sex ed teachers in Oregon schools will be operating under a new program.

A law passed by last year’s Legislature pushes an updated school curriculum that moves away from abstinence-only lessons.

Ethan Lindsey reports.

Some teachers across the state say the new law will encourage discussion about contraceptives.

But Brad Victor, the Oregon Department of Education’s sexuality education specialist, says the changes are mostly in tone.

In state-run sex ed workshops, Victor says teachers will learn more positive messages about healthy relationships.

But he says for high school students in sex ed classes this year, their lesson plans won’t be disrupted.

Brad Victor: “It is a sensitive subject for students, and it is often better to develop a high level of trust before that subject is taught, so very few schools are diving right into sex ed in January when they come back. It’ll probably be more around April, May and June.”

School districts around the state have been discussing and revising individual policies, to comply with the new law.