research
The Illinois Campaign for Responsible Sex Education commissioned two research studies to survey the landscape of sex education in the state.
Illinois Health Curriculum Study
The National Opinion Research Center of the University of Chicago (NORC) conducted a groundbreaking study of Illinois sex education teachers to build knowledge on teacher practice, beliefs and influences. The study was released in March 2005.
View a summary of findings
Download the factsheet (PDF)
Illinois Voter Opinion Poll
The firm of Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates was commissioned to conduct a statewide survey in December 2004 of 600 registered voters regarding their feelings about school-taught sex education programs. They found that an overwhelming majority of Illinoisans support comprehensive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex education.
View a summary of findings
Download the factsheet (PDF)
National Opinion Research Center - Summary of Findings
 While 93% of sex education teachers surveyed in Illinois offer some component of sex education, two thirds of Illinois sex education teachers omit critical elements of responsible and comprehensive sex education; curriculum is key.
92% of teachers – an overwhelming majority – say that their curriculum has a great deal or some influence on what topics they cover. Currently, there are no statewide standards and no state funding for comprehensive sex education programs that teach both abstinence and factual information. 38.9% used donated or free materials.
Sex education teachers believe in giving students information to aid in prevention and promote responsibility.
92% of teachers who teach sex education believe that whether or not young people are sexually active,
they should be given accurate information about birth control and safe sex in school. 82.5% of teachers
who teach sex education do not believe that giving accurate information about birth control and safe sex
to young people encourages them to have sex. Teaching a strong abstinence message in concert with
information on contraception is considered a “best practice” in teen pregnancy prevention.
Sex education teachers want and need better preparation, more time.
29.8% of those sex education teachers were not trained to do so. Of those who have been trained, 29.5%
feel that they have not received enough training. Sex education teachers spent on average 12 contact
hours teaching sex education, but nearly a quarter of teachers spent 5 or fewer contact hours. 44.8% of
teachers believe that too little classroom time is spent in their school to properly cover sex education.
Illinois Voter Opinion Poll - Summary of Findings
 Illinois voters overwhelmingly agree – comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education programs are needed to inform our youth about the prevention of pregnancy and protection from diseases including HIV and STDs.
- 83% of respondents agree that students in Illinois should have information about contraception and disease prevention, and that age-appropriate facts about pregnancy and STDs are an important part of all sex education programs.
- Nearly three quarters (73%) of Illinois voters prefer comprehensive sex education programs where abstinence is a component but is not the only method of protection and prevention discussed.
- Almost two thirds of voters (64%) say they oppose teaching abstinence-only sex education in Illinois schools.
Voters in Illinois want accountability. There are currently no state standards and there is no set funding to teach sex education in Illinois schools.
- 88% of voters agree that teachers in sex education programs should have to meet state standards and be held accountable for what their students learn, just like they do in other subjects like reading or math.
| If you take any other subject, why would you teach one view of it or one part of it?" - Quote from an Oak Brook mother |
- A majority (55%) of voters think children and teens are not learning enough about sex education in public schools today.
- 73% of voters say they would be worried if they found out comprehensive sex education was not required in Illinois public schools.
The public overwhelmingly supports responsible sex education in public schools. This support is consistent throughout the state – support is strong in rural and urban areas, as well as in Chicago, central, and southern Illinois. |
