Girls Inc. has been asked to refrain from all activities in the Huntsville City school system because their “abstinence plus” program does not meet the requirements of the Alabama Course of Study for Health Education or the Abstinence Act of 1992. A replacement curriculum, “Choosing the Best Life,” available through a grant, was approved by the school system; however, teachers haven’t decided if they will use it.
The superintendent’s office has informed teachers that they must comply. Meanwhile, about a month ago Girls Inc. was invited into the Dothan middle schools and hoped to expand to the high schools and surrounding counties. Girls Inc. promotes “reproductive choice” & discourages “homophobia.” Their website states that they are against funding for abstinence until marriage education. [from Pam Thomason, HÂ’ville, Aug03]