DC Public Schools has released a statement about the sexual education survey administered at Georgetown's Hardy Middle School last week, which left a few students "bewildered," "confused," and "hyperventilating," and their parents "outraged" and "nearly in tears." DCPS acknowledged that the standard "opt-out" letter was mistakenly sent home to parents on the same day students took the survey, and is planning a community discussion on the issue this Friday.

But DCPS also underscored the need for sexual education surveys like this one: "In 2008, nearly 7 percent of all District teenagers were diagnosed with Chlamydia, and District adolescents account for half of all Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases in DC," DCPS said in the statement. "The 'pre-test' Hardy students were given was not a test at all, but an assessment used to determine the students’ baseline knowledge and to responsibly assure that students get all of the information and skills they need to protect themselves."

Full DCPS statement after the jump:

Metro TeenAIDS has had a long and positive relationship with DCPS using the “Making Proud Choices” program, an approved, evidence-based curriculum designed for middle school students that addresses pregnancy prevention, HIV and STI prevention.

In 2008, nearly 7 percent of all District teenagers were diagnosed with Chlamydia, and District adolescents account for half of all Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases in DC.

Both the “Making Proud Choices” and DCPS health curriculum of which it is a part are in-line with the DC Health Learning Standards as well as the National Health Education Standards.

The “pre-test” Hardy students were given was not a test at all, but an assessment used to determine the students’ baseline knowledge and to
responsibly assure that students get all of the information and skills
they need to protect themselves.

Unfortunately, the opt-out letter to parents regarding this unit in the health class went home on the same day that the assessment was administered. As a result, there was not enough time to allow for parental response before the unit began.

Principal Nerenberg sent a message to the parents of the students who were administered the test, and a note was sent home in today’s school newsletter, including a second opt-out form for parents.

We strongly believe that parents have a role to play in providing HIV/AIDS and reproductive health education, and we regret that our oversight resulted in affecting our parents’ right to choose how their students receive this information.

We’ve invited Hardy parents to join us Friday, October 15th, for a discussion with Diana Bruce, director of health and wellness for DCPS, on human sexuality as part of the health curriculum.