Sex-ed is a part of health not usually thought about in school, yet many students have issues with it, believing that the quality of the course is not as good as it could be. They are not alone in this criticism, since many local groups have tried to pass laws changing sex-ed all over the country.

As of now, Kansas’ only law passed regarding sex-ed is the “opt-out” law, making it so parent’s must give consent to put their child in sex-ed via permission slip. If this permission slip is not signed, students cannot attend. Some who have taken the course expressed concerns with the class and its content.

“It would greatly benefit from going over safe homosexual sex instead of just heterosexual education,” junior Eric Adams said.

Adams also mentioned the inclusion of safe transgender practices, like teaching proper binding techniques as it can cause damage to the rib cage and spine when done incorrectly.

“The graphs (used in class) are unnecessary,” junior Alicia Language said. “The stuff they teach us isn’t really useful. Abstinence is the only thing taught.”

Abstinence has been a source of controversy in several states because of the separation of church and state, with some arguing that it violates the idea because of abstinence’s root in Christianity.

Abstinence refers more to the practice of waiting to have sex until you’re married rather than avoiding it all together.

Principal Martin Straub said that although principals and teachers can give input regarding course content, the school board dictates the curriculum. Many topics must be gone over in the health class, like male anatomy, dating and AIDS. Also, pregnancy and the process of birth and labor are covered. Straub disagrees with the notion that abstinence should be kept out of the classroom.

“Abstinence should be a part of any good health curriculum, to not include it would be negligent,” Straub said. “There’s still a margin of error with other methods.”

While the input of principals is paramount in what instructors teach, they have a say in their inclusion of abstinence and what they make important in their class.

Instructor Rick Keltner stressed how difficult it is to put everything into a one semester class, since there are many important issues that need to be covered. The recent elimination of the health class at the middle school makes it so students can’t learn there either.

“No one said we have to,” Keltner said. “There are so many scary STIs (sexually transmitted infections) right now. It’s important we show them as many ways as possible.”