SCHOOL SEX-EDUCATION, A PROCESS FOR EVALUATION - METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS

This study outlines a method used to evaluate sex education. Results f rom a questionnaire are presented from 3314 Year 11 students in 25 sch ools from non-metropolitan Britain. Over 70% answered that their sex e ducation had included 'a lot' or 'some' education on sexual intercours e, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); 51% demonst ration of condoms; 45% personal morality; and 36% assertiveness traini ng including 'how to say no', Teenagers' assessment of sex education w as varied but only the minority (44%) considered it satisfactory, Over 70% said they thought teaching a wide range of topics should start in Year 8 (aged 11/12 years), most (75%) wanted outside agencies involve d in the teaching, (57%) did not want parents to provide 'most of it' and (70%) did not want it taught in single-sex groups, School was the most frequently specified source of 'most helpful' information on cont raception (38%) and STDs (45%), Teenagers within schools perceived to deliver above average input on contraception and STDs were more likely to cite school as their most helpful source of information, Increasin g input was not associated with increasing awareness of risks from STD s nor improved knowledge of contraception, The questionnaire and repor ting of comparative findings back to the schools will allow an assessm ent of current practice and future change to sex education programmes.