Character program questioned
Abstinence lessons in state spotlight
By Tony Bartelme
In January, the principal of C.E. Williams Middle School wrote parents and encouraged them to have their children participate in the Heritage Keepers Life Skills Education program.
In the letter, the principal emphasized that the 12-session program helps students make good decisions, and that "abstinence education" was "not the focus."
But when Carole Black, a parent of an 11-year-old boy, visited the school to learn more about the classes, she was surprised to find passages in the Heritage student manual urging students to abstain from sex until marriage.
Black said she thinks it's fine to teach children about abstinence, but she's concerned that Heritage teaches a faith-based version that's out of place in public schools. "I feel like I was misled," said Black, who declined to sign a permission slip.
The Post and Courier
The Heritage Keepers Student Manual.
Judith Peterson, the school's principal, also feels she's been put in a difficult spot. She said Heritage Community Services, the nonprofit that runs the programs, said the sixth-grade program was about "character education," not abstinence.
"I'm definitely looking into this. I want it handled correctly," she said Monday.
The situation at Williams Middle highlights the sensitive nature of the abstinence-only issue. It also comes as state lawmakers are poised to wade into this emotional thicket.
The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to debate legislation today that would create a new five-person committee to study funding requests from groups that teach abstinence courses.
The legislation also would nix funding to groups that teach "medically inaccurate" information — defined as information contradicted by "peer-reviewed research by leading medical" and other public health groups. A subcommittee approved the legislation last week.
The debate in the General Assembly sets the stage for a battle between abstinence groups, who say their programs are scientifically sound, and critics who argue that abstinence-only programs don't work and that it's more effective to teach about abstinence and birth control.
Millions of tax dollars are at stake, especially for Heritage Community Services, the dominant provider of abstinence-only education programs in South Carolina. A Post and Courier analysis of the group's public tax returns showed the group received or was allocated $23.2 million from grants and other government sources since 1997, about 99 percent of the group's annual budgets.
The analysis also showed that the group received large sums through provisos buried deep in the state budget. Last year, for instance, at the urging of state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, lawmakers added $800,000 to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control's budget on the condition that every penny go to Heritage. The proviso didn't offer any details about how the money would be used or require DHEC to monitor the spending.
Based in North Charleston, Heritage has drawn nationwide attention for its programs to teach children to wait until marriage before having sex. "For those of us at Heritage, the well-being of children is what it is all about," R.A. Pruet, president of the nonprofit, said in a recent letter to The Post and Courier. "It's about their parents having a relationship. It is about the family structures they belong to. ... In that light we are delighted with the work we do and with our accomplishments."
Heritage officials cite studies showing its program helps students avoid risky behavior, though critics cite other studies that found the program has little or no effect.
Heritage teaches its programs at 14 Charleston County School District schools, including Williams Middle in West Ashley.
Principal Peterson said Heritage officials have done a good job teaching seventh-graders, so when they approached her about a "character-based" program for sixth-graders, she thought it was a good idea. "They talked about making good choices, setting good goals, talking about boundaries, and I thought that was perfectly all right." She said abstinence wasn't supposed to be part of the sessions.
But she said she didn't read every page of the student manual and was surprised last week when she found sections discussing abstinence.
Heritage provided the manual to The Post and Courier. On the page before the table of contents, it has a "youth-adult contract" that asks students to "abstain from sex outside of marriage, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and violence."
The first half of the book discusses attitudes, values and character traits. The second half focuses more on abstinence and includes stories about professional athletes who remained virgins into their 20s and 30s. Another passage said alcohol is "the number one cause of girls losing their virginity. Is that a decision you want to make under the influence of a mind- altering substance?"
Peterson said she was uncomfortable with some of these passages. She cut short a family trip last weekend to Virginia to sort out the matter. The school district also has asked the state Department of Education for guidance, said Tamara Kirshstein, the district's science and health curriculum coordinator.
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@post andcourier.com.
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Comments
carnellm (anonymous) says...
Here is another interesting article about them...
http://www.siecus.org/policy/PUpdates...
And don't you just love "The analysis also showed that the group received large sums through provisos buried deep in the state budget. Last year, for instance, at the urging of state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, lawmakers added $800,000 to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control's budget on the condition that every penny go to Heritage. The proviso didn't offer any details about how the money would be used or require DHEC to monitor the spending." ???
Just being given free money. Our money.
February 19, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Government cannot do what parents should be doing. We've wasted 30 years or so proving that, and I suspect that we will continue at it expecting a different result for a while longer.
February 19, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday October 20, 2006
President's "National Character Counts Week" a Time for Arizona GOP to Reflect
Day After Peterson Agrees to Guilty Plea, We Remember the Transgressions of Kyl, Renzi, Hayworth and Kolbe
PHOENIX-The Arizona Republic reports today that State Treasurer David Peterson is expected to resign and will plead guilty to resolve criminal allegations of theft and fraud. Today's revelation is a moment of irony given that President George Bush declared this week to be "National Character Counts Week."
In his proclamation to kick off National Character Counts Week, Bush described the purpose of this week. "During National Character Counts Week, we renew our commitment to instilling values in our young people and to encouraging all Americans to remember the importance of good character."
See: [link]]
Peterson's misdeeds recall the many transgressions among leaders of the Arizona Republican Party and the plethora of allegations haunting them in their bids for reelection.
"This is no longer an isolated indiscretion; this is a pattern of corruption and abuse of power that seems to enmesh ever-widening circles of the GOP's leadership," said Arizona Democratic Party Chairman David Waid. "Arizonans have a right to expect more from their leaders. The people of this state deserve leaders that not only represent their interests, but respect their values."
State Treasurer David Peterson "is expected to resign as part of a plea agreement to resolve criminal allegations connected to his work for a character-education non-profit. His attorney confirmed Thursday in a statement that Petersen would plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge for knowingly filing a false or incomplete financial-disclosure statement."
See: Arizona Republic, 10/20/2006
February 19, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
AZ:Treasurer received sales commissions from character program for schools
by AZ Capitol Times Tuesday, Mar. 07, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Court filings by the Attorney General's Office in State of Arizona vs. David A. Petersen say Mr. Petersen is being investigated for theft, fraudulent schemes and practices and conflict of interest. If charged and convicted, he would be required to forfeit his office.
Treasurer received sales commissions from character program for schools
By Phil Riske
A meeting with a controversial evangelist sparked David Petersen's passion for character building, an investigative magazine reports, but allegations related to his own character sparked a search of his office last month and possible criminal charges against the Republican state treasurer.
Meanwhile, an official of Character First! told Arizona Capitol Times the treasurer was paid $4,000 in commissions for selling the organization's instructional materials to public schools.
Court filings by the Attorney General's Office in State of Arizona vs. David A. Petersen say Mr. Petersen is being investigated for theft, fraudulent schemes and practices and conflict of interest. If charged and convicted, he would be required to forfeit his office.
Paul Petersen, who said he is temporarily acting as his father's private legal counsel, added that he thinks there were one or two Republicans who contacted the Attorney General's Office because they want to see his father "go down."
"Our position is that if the attorney general looks at these allegations on their face, without any political agenda coloring their decisions, that we are confident the treasurer will be cleared," the younger Petersen said. "The state of Arizona has bigger and more serious problems that require the attorney general's time and energy than an investigation into the treasurer's promotion of character education. There has been no allegation of mismanagement of public monies."
The Attorney General's Office has taken possession of three computers and numerous files and tapes from the Treasurer's Office, including materials and e-mails related to the Character Training Institute (CTI) and Character First!, Oklahoma-based, nonprofit character education organizations. Mr. Petersen has promoted Character First! around the state, including to the Arizona Department of Education, which did not choose Character First! for its character program materials.
The CTI developed from, but is no longer associated with, the Institute for Basic Life Principles, founded by wealthy evangelist Bill Gothard of Oakbrook, Ill. Newspaper accounts in Florida and other states have included harsh criticism that the institute has religious influence on character curriculum developed by CTI and distributed by Character First!.
February 19, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Fundamentalist legalism and murder
Today I've read a few interesting commentaries on the role that certain fundamentalist Christian teachings (specifically a doctrine known as "legalism") have had in producing the outcomes of Andrea Yates murdering her children and Matthew Murray killing several people in Colorado. Murray, who was raised in an ultra-fundamentalist home and home schooled, was in an environment based on the teachings of Bill Gothard, whose "seven basic life principles" may be found here. The obedience to authority component is one which has led to some problems, such as a sex scandal within Gothard's organization. (An online forum for discussing Bill Gothard's teachings, open to both supporters and critics, may be found here.)
Gothard has other teachings beyond his seven principles, some of which are enumerated by a commenter at Midwest Christian Outreach:
Wives who work outside the home are to be compared to harlots - Bill Gothard
It is a total insult in Scripture to be called uncircumcised, and the only moral choice parents can make is to have their sons circumcised in order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus - Bill Gothard
"Unmerited favor" is a "faulty definition" of grace. Grace for sanctification is merited as we humble ourselves before God - Bill Gothard
Females who enjoy horseback riding have a problem with rebellion - Bill Gothard, from testimonies of people who use their real names who have heard him say this in person
Unbiblical submission taught - Abigail was WRONG to do what she did in saving Nabal and his servants - Bill Gothard
Tamar was partially at fault for being raped, because she wasn't spiritually alert and didn't cry out - Bill Gothard
Rock music is evil because it is evil - Bill Gothard
Cabbage Patch dolls are demonized - Bill Gothard
Matthew Murray wrote about some of these rules, observing that "I still remember how we were told that 'The Simpsons' was a very evil and Satanic TV show with the intent of causing people to leave Christianity (as if that's a bad thing). As a teenager my mother had the TV tuner removed by a TV technician so that it could only receive from the AV inputs, meaning, could only watch VHS and DVDs." He specifically blamed Gothard's teachings for his problems:
Gothard, in an interview Wednesday, said he "didn't recall"ever meeting the Murray family, but he was sure one of the parents was probably trained in his program. Ultimately, Gothard blames rock music for Murray's murderous rampage. "That is the most contributing factor," said Gothard, who is based in a small town south of Chicago. "It'd be important to see the connection between his passion to rock music and how it ultimately brought this on." Gothard said whenever he gets calls from parents having trouble with their kids, he asks about what they listen to. "In every case, (the kid) is listening to rock music," he said.
February 19, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
John Q, There are a few people out therethat say Ray Nash and The Bagdleys were partners. They Taught Character first to the Navy. I'm Only Assuming that it was through a connection at the sheriffs office.
February 19, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Running The Money through DHEc would explain why nothing was found at the Jail.
February 19, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Of that $23.5 million, about $23.2 million, or 99 percent, came from grants and other government sources, those records show, though it's unclear from the group's tax forms in the late 1990s exactly which government agencies contributed how much.
The group's success in nabbing these public dollars is largely due to its political connections.
Anne Badgley founded the nonprofit in the mid-1990s when the abstinence movement picked up steam. In 1997, the group's budget hovered at $50,000. In 1999, with help from then-Gov. David Beasley and state lawmakers, its budget grew to $1.5 million.
That year was a turning point. During his first presidential campaign stop in South Carolina, George W. Bush visited one of Heritage's workshops. "I could see he was very sincere, and I worked hard to get him elected," Badgley told Washington Monthly magazine in 2002. Badgley declined to comment for this story but did provide a statement outlining studies that found the program works.
Today, Badgley and her family hold key positions with the group. She is chief executive officer, drawing a salary of $83,576, according to 2006 tax records. She also received $5,000 in compensation from the Lowcountry Crisis Pregnancy Center, where she is listed as a former officer. Badgley's husband, Gordon, is Heritage's operations director, making $68,576.
The Badgleys' son-in-law, Gerald Raymond, pulls down $65,476 as a regional director, and the Badgleys' daughter, Sally Raymond, also has a director-level job, tax records show.
In addition, Gordon and Anne Badgley run a for-profit business called Badgley Enterprises that benefits from Heritage's publicly funded operations.
In 2003 and 2004, Heritage paid Badgley Enterprises $290,095 for 10,000 student manuals and other materials, tax records show.
How to get $800,000
Heritage continues to have powerful friends, with Cyndi Mosteller, a notable Republican operative and sister of Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, sitting on the group's board, according to its 2006 tax form. Charleston-area lawmakers, such as state House Speaker Bobby Harrell and state Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, have sponsored grant applications for the group.
Last spring, lawmakers quietly penciled $800,000 for Heritage into the state budget in what's known as a budget proviso. No lawmaker's name was attached to the proposal. Through word of mouth, The Post and Courier learned that Grooms initiated the budget outlay.
In an interview, Grooms said he thinks highly of Heritage's work, and that "the folks at Heritage let me know that it looked like they were going to lose some federal money." While most of his district is in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, which don't use Heritage's programs, he represents a portion of Colleton County. "And Colleton is very pleased with them," he said.
February 19, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
That was from a post and courier article .
February 19, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Palmetto House elects 2 new top officers
By Edward C. Fennell (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, February 8, 2008
SUMMERVILLE - Palmetto House, a nonprofit organization that provides meals, clothing and groceries to the needy, and temporary shelter for individuals with no place to stay, has elected a new chairman and vice chairman.
In balloting Jan. 21, Gerald Musselman was chosen board chairman and Paul J. Girgenti selected vice chairman. Musselman, a board member for four years, succeeds outgoing Chairman Colin Martin.
Girgenti, who brings a unique blend of corporate and creative experience to Palmetto House, is from New York and best known for writing and producing jingles and R&B music in the 1980s. He takes the position held by Jeffrey Brooks.
Both Martin and Brooks will remain active on the board in an advisory capacity.
Jefferey Brooks was Ray Nash's Campaign Manager who sent the letter to Christian Exodus for Campaign Donations.They receieved a letter of Response from Cory Burnell Founder.
February 19, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
4k Sounds like a video I viewed.
The patterns of abuses are similar in many cases.
Thats Why We need a Federal Grand Jury Looking into Ray Nash?...My Belief is that something is just not right here.
February 19, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
You never know? I can tell you I am amuzed at How the Jail Issue was presented to the public after months of trying to reveal it...We should be teaching Common Sense 101 in SC schools instead of Character First.
February 19, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Commom sense 101, ChrisPia, would include ideas such as those which encourage students to "abstain from sex outside of marriage, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and violence."
While it may be that this organization is questionable for many reasons, it is a shame that many lose sight of the common sense value of the teachings in and of themselves. When a school principal questions the relative value of encouraging children to abstain from risky behavior, we as a society have reached a very sad and scary place indeed.
February 19, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
John Q, morality encompasses all that we do. You cannot realistically separate moral teaching from any school, otherwise, schools, and in fact society in general, would become total anarchy. A civilized society's rules and order at every level are based on basic moral beliefs about right and wrong, such as it being wrong to steal, wrong to commit violence against others, etc. Think about it.
February 19, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Please someone explain to me why it's wrong to tell 12 yr old CHILDREN that it's WRONG to have sex??Or wrong to do drugs??Correct me if I'm wrong,but I didn't see anywhere in the article that this group told the kids to go to church and pray about it!I'm disgusted at society having this self entitled,do what the heck you want,when you want,no matter what your age,or how it effects others attitude.Ultimately,yes it is of course up to us as parents to teach morality and values at home.But just as we reiterate what teachers teach at school,whats wrong with schools reiterating what we teach at home?
February 19, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
LOL Cold Beer that must have hurt...I also believe that parents should be teaching their kids morals and values.I don't even mind teaching some of it in the schools.
Moo Moo My common sense 101 comment was sarcasm. People should stop burying their heads and realize that this is based on character but it's ALL About The MONEY.. All good scams are basedon Good points and deceptive to lead you in.That is why there are so many Religious Scams out there.
Ask This question.....If the people in these organizations are so adimant about what they are preaching,then why draw a salary or make money on it?
February 19, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
All this talk about families teaching "morality" (yeah, that's been going REALLY well over the past few years). These ideas about avoiding risky behaviors need to come from all directions! School, home, peers etc. Heritage is simply telling kids that out-of-wedlock sex can lead to problems (who here can argue otherwise?). Some of you will be the first ones screaming about all of the teen pregnancies and how your tax dollars have to pay for the "welfare" babies. From what I can tell, Heritage is at least trying to be proactive. What's religious about what they do? Looks like plain old common sense to me. Oh wait, if sense was common then we'd all have it now wouldn't we? I'm certainly not a "conservative" and I'm not crazy about their "allies", but I agree with what that organization is trying to do. Maybe some of you should visit these schools and talk to some of these young people so that you can see for yourselves that some families need all the help they can get!
February 19, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Ah Coldbeer, interesting point. Let me offer the following scenario for your consideration:
Your middle school child (well schooled on morals and values from mom and dad I am sure)makes the unfortunate-but not so uncommon at this age - decision to lie to his teacher about completing an assignment. He is caught and admits he did it. The school decides to penalize him by making him serve a detention after school for this offense, thereby imparting to him a basic life - ahem - MORAL lesson, that inappropriate behavior will be punished. You would object to this?
February 19, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
coolfranknbeans:
If you want to know "what's wrong" with Heritage, read the Gartland articles in the archives section of this newspaper. Read the articles in The State by John O'Connor. Call Lynn Hammond at the South Carolina Department of Education....there is almost no end.
There is nothing "wrong" with teaching right from wrong. What Dorchester School District Two, Rhode Island schools, and apparently Principal Black objected to was a "bait and switch."
BTW, I have seen this curriculum. I would not let these people teach it to my kids. Nor would I allow them to ask my kids the kind of questions they reportedly asked kids in Dorchester County such as "Have you ever had oral sex?"
All parents in Charleston County should request to review this curriculum and actually review it before giving permission to Heritage to teach it to their children.
February 19, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
As a teacher, I would love to be able to devote less time on character education and more time on content education. The sad truth is, however, that MOST students do not enter the classroom with that knowledge. Coldbeer, thank you for taking the time to instill morality in your children. BUT, many do not. The result is that I spend a lot of time trying to emphasize the importance of honesty, hard work, motivation, anger management, respect, etc...
February 19, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
Scienceguy, you're incorrectly assuming that the P&C is telling the whole story. To direct someone to the archives is to send them to look at more subjective "journalism". I too have seen Heritage's stuff and I'd want my children to participate. Sex is sacred in my eyes and I want that message mirrored wherever my kids go.
February 19, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Archdude, thank you for your thoughtful response, but I think you miss my point. Coldbeer made the general statement that he did not want anyone but he and his wife imparting morals and values to his children. This is completely unrealistic. My example was to make the point that there are many moral lessons we learn from others besides our parents. I was not addressing this program per se in this post.
My observation is that many of you are defning morality in very narrow terms. Here are but a few definitions:
The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.
A system of ideas of right and wrong conduct: religious morality; Christian morality.
Virtuous conduct.
A rule or lesson in moral conduct.
The religious angle - christian or otherwise, is but one subset of a broad concept.
February 19, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Exactly, halfsheli!
I know from reading your previous posts that you are a teacher, and all the virtues you mention - honesty, hard work, respect, etc., all flow from the quality of being in accord with standards of right and good conduct, i.e., morality! You cannot and should not be expected to teach in a moral vaccum, because by definition that would mean that you could not punish misdeeds, reward good ones, etc.
February 19, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
DenmarkVesey1822
Mr. Gartland is/was a very fine and upstanding reporter. Heritage never complained about the accuracy of his articles.
This curriculum includes a DVD, videos, a 200 page teacher's manual, and a student handbook. I doubt you have reviewed all of it. Not even the South Carolina Department of Education has seen this curriculum.
Let me ask you something. Who in South Carolina--which individual and what agency--is responsible for monitoring how Heritage is spending its grant money? Where is the program being taught? Which of the six variations of the curriculum is being taught?
Governor Sanford lauds the concept of transparency. Where is the transparency in this case?
February 19, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Scienceguy,
have you reviewed the entire 200 page curriculum? You seem rather knowledgeable - perhaps you can answer for the rest of us some of your own compelling questions?
February 19, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
MooMoo
I will try to answer any question you pose. However, you should know that no one in State government knows the answers to some of the questions I posed to Denmark.
February 19, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
We are spending 23 million dollars to this organization alone.
Could We Use More Police officers,Firemen,EMS,Teachers and Equiptment?
This Should be taught at Home,Unfortunately it is not.
When I went to school we had a sex ed class and teacher.Why are we using a non profit? Why is that Money Diverted Through DHEC? Is The Money Accounted For in receipts?
How do you get character training from people who don't practice what they preach?
February 19, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
ChrisPia -- You might be hard-pressed to find many teachers willing in this oh-so-litigious day and age to broach the subject of sex education with students. I don't know that I would do it.
February 19, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Why is it ok for schools to teach sexual competence (which is essentially at least part of what sex ed does - teaches about what sex is, positions, body parts involved, possible consequences, etc.) but not abstinence?
Now, I am not advocating the heritage organization - I just want to know why so many feel that educating kids in school about how to have sex is okay, but that schools teaching the many obvious benefits of choosing not to have sex is unacceptable.
Seems like a double standard to me...
February 19, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
For more information about times and dates of outreach events, contact
Clair Boatwright at (803) 898-4461or via email at boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
February 19, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
Scienceguy,
I know enough to know that Heritage has been in the community for at least the past 10 years and has POSITIVELY influenced many young people. Why don't you call the teachers and/or administrators of the schools that they serve and see for yourself? I've actually been to many community events and Heritage was right there with plenty of info about what they teach. It is NOT a religious organization and I've seen nothing that was medically inaccurate. Perhaps some of you who criticize the concept of saving sex for marriage feel like you'd be hypocrites if you told your kids that because you didn't do that yourselves. Condoms don't do much for the emotional madness that can begin with sexual relationships. Who equips teens for THAT? Of course teens need to know that condoms are effective against SOME diseases and are usually helpful for contraception..but who has to deal with the baggage and the cycle of teen parents who have no guidance and think that sex is just a recreational thing that might make a baby? Go to the jails and I bet you'll see a bunch of young men who have mothers that are 13-14-15 years older than they are without any truly positive male influences. I see it all the time because I work with "at-risk" youth. This program sure as hell can't hurt.
February 19, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
A nationwide survey of public opinion on sex education in U.S. schools, which was published in the November 2006 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, showed that 82 percent of Americans support comprehensive programs "that teach both abstinence and other methods of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases." This mirrors research among South Carolina's own registered voters, 80 percent of whom want similar programs in our schools.
Between 2000 and 2004, the pregnancy rate for South Carolina girls 18-19 years old was 110.5 per 1,000 girls - more similar to the teen birth rates of Afghanistan, Cambodia and Guatemala than to any other developed nation in the world.
Yet, in the next two months, our legislators - beginning with those who serve on the House Ways and Means Committee - will reconsider investing even more taxpayers' dollars in abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, which objective research has shown do not work and which the majority of South Carolina voters do not want.
While journalists may be understandably weary of listening to the wrangling between over-zealous adults who support or oppose sex education, nonetheless South Carolina's taxpayers cannot afford our Fourth Estate to turn a deaf ear. Too many tax dollars have been wasted. Too many young people need and deserve uncensored, protective health information they're not getting.
Posted by Karen adams January 2008 article
February 19, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
More U.S. Deaths From MRSA Than AIDS
In 2005, More Than 18,000 Deaths Attributed to MRSA, CDC Reports
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDOct. 16, 2007 -- It appears that more people in the U.S. now die from the mostly hospital-acquired staph infection MRSA than from AIDS, according to a new report from the CDC.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was responsible for an estimated 94,000 life-threatening infections and 18,650 deaths in 2005, CDC researchers report in the Oct. 17 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
That same year, roughly 16,000 people in the U.S. died from AIDS, according to CDC figures.
The national estimate is more than double the invasive MRSA prevalence reported by CDC researchers five years earlier, says researcher R. Monina Klevens, DDS, MPH.
"MRSA infections are an important public health problem that can no longer be ignored," she tells WebMD. "We need to put this higher on our list of priorities."
Among the highlights from the newly published study:
While most invasive MRSA infections could be traced to a hospital stay or some other health care exposure, about 15% of invasive infections occurred in people with no known health care risk.
Two-thirds of the 85% of MRSA infections that could be traced to hospital stays or other health care exposures occurred among people who were no longer hospitalized.
People over age 65 were four times more likely than the general population to get an MRSA infection. Incidence rates among blacks were twice that of the general population, and rates were lowest among children over the age of 4 and teens.
MRSA Superbug
Known as a superbug because it is resistant to so many antibiotics, MRSA infection is seen most often in patients who have undergone invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems.
Invasive MRSA is a leading cause of potentially life-threatening bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and pneumonia..
The CDC researchers analyzed 2005 data on invasive MRSA infections from nine sites across the country to arrive at the national prevalence figures.
Based on their findings, they estimated that for every 100,000 people living in the U.S. there were 32 cases of invasive MRSA in 2005.
An estimated 128 cases occurred for every 100,000 people aged 65 and over.
Infectious disease specialist Elizabeth A. Bancroft, MD, tells WebMD that as the U.S. population ages, rates of invasive MRSA are likely to climb even higher unless the nation's hospitals, nursing homes, and other high-risk health care settings take steps to limit its spread.
February 19, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Chrispia, i have question: What organizations have conducted the objective research referenced in your post?
February 19, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Can Dr Ball of DHEc explain This? Or The Conditions at Greenville County jail?
No Non profit Money Left inthe jail fund to protect the Officers?
February 19, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL...US Government.
Agency For Disease and Toxic Registry also based in Atlanta US government.
American Medical Journal etc etc
February 19, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
And This is with Information from the HONEST reporting Agencies.
February 19, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
DenmarkVesey1822
If Heritage is so good why did Charleston, Dorchester School District Two, and Rhode Island kick them out of their schools?
If Heritage is so good, why doesn't it seek funding in the usual manner rather than through backdoor earmarks?
After receiving $23 Million, these folks ought to be able to present peer-reviewed published articles showing the benefits of their program.
February 19, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lilbit2008 (anonymous) says...
Let's Get Real!!!! I was a member of the Heritage Keepers when I was in middle school! Before you can attend this extracircular activity you have to get a parent's permission. Its kind of like school sports!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much money is poured into school sports! Not everyone is cut for the team and what do they learn from it. Most only learn that life is all about WINNING!!!! No playing sports is about TEAM Work and self esteem. Yes it is religious based group, but what is the big deal. The are not demanding your child to belief in one faith, but to be proud of what you belief in. They teach your child to have self respect and not do things that would harm your body such as drugs. Abstinence is a part of self respect. Why would you want them to be telling your children its okay to have sex there are things to prevent pregnancy, so that they become curious and partake in sexual activity. Woman if you don't like what they are teaching then don't sign the permission slip for your son to attend. That is your right!!!!! Heritage Keepers are not forcing your child to partake in their group!!! More important things at schools need to be looked into like the misconduct of children during school; disturbing others from learning instead Hertiage Keepers.
February 19, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Sex ed has changed, John Q. What I described is currently being taught in the CCSD!! Abstinence is not obvious to many, and is also a choice worthy of consideration. Your contention that 'kids should come to their own moral conclusions by considering all sides of a problem and making up their own minds' by definition would include information on abstinance as well, would it not?
February 19, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
For someone named "scienceguy", I'd think that you'd know that the critical thinking skills of teens would be less than adequate. Study the brain much scienceguy? I have.
February 19, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
JohnQ, It is important to note that this is an optional program.
It is not just about telling kids not to have sex-it is also important to explain why not doing so is a good choice. You said yourself how important it is to teach children 'that there are steps to be taken to limit (a better word choice would be 'prevent') an unwanted pregnancy.' Abstinence is far and away the best form of birth control known to man! It also is the best known prevention of STD's and abortion.
February 19, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
John Q, blogging from Mars again I presume. Next time the earth spins by how about hopping on.
Read the news more often bro, sex ed in school today consists of teaching kids how to roll condom onto a banana.
You dont want abstinence being taught in schools but at the same time I presume you would have no problem with the schools counseling teens how to get an abortion without their parents knowledge.
This business and haranging about "not wanting" values taught in school because it promotes someones religeous viewpoint is a smokescreen whether you realize it or not.
Everytime anything is taught about sex education, someones values are being taught, whether its the condom lesson or the abstinence lesson. Secular Humanism is a religion too.
February 19, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Than This organization should open its books for the taxpayers to see where this money is going...If their values and Character are inorder than there should be no problem.
February 20, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisPia (anonymous) says...
Waht could 23 million over 10 years do for this areas needs?
Maybe 40 more police officers
Maybe 40 more Firefighters
Maybe 40 more EMS or Teachers
Needed Roadwork,Infrastructure
Raises for our emergency personell (to provide a livable wage)
Money to take care of our Veterans of All wars for medical care,Homeless,
Money for family of veterans in Iraq,Afghanistan to Help families while they serve.
These Issues should be dealt with before we earmark money for anything else.
February 20, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
DenmarkVesey1822:
I did not understand the relevance of your comment. I asked you specific questions. Apparently you do not know the answers to them. I know a great deal about child development, but what does that have to do with unmonitored, secretly awarded earmarks? Do you think that is the way our Legislators should conduct business?
MooMoo:
South Carolina is an opt-out state meaning that parents have to opt out if they do not want their children to be in a sex-ed course, not give permission for them to be in a sex-ed course. Parents have to rely on the Principal and the School Board both to vet the curriculum and to tell them what is in it. This did not happen in either Dorchester Two or Charleston. That is the problem. Additionally, in Rhode Island, Heritage slipped in some things that violated State Law. That was another problem.
MooMoo and mostinfan:
Sexual positions and condom installation on bananas are most assuredly not taught in CCSD schools. If you have evidence otherwise, you should report this to the AG, the school principal, and the South Carolina Department of Education as it would be illegal to do so under South Carolina Law.
I wonder why it is that adults who post comments constantly ascribe to urban myths. While I incorrectly posted something as being fact earlier this week, I corrected my misstatement when I learned my source had given me faulty information. I would like to know some of the sources of your information. More important, I would like to see fewer Urban Myths being spread on this Board.
February 20, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DenmarkVesey1822 (anonymous) says...
From what I know, Heritage uses "active" permission forms. Parents must sign the forms and have them returned to the school in order for students to participate in the program.
Scienceguy, the fact that you don't understand the relevance of teens' critical thinking skills speaks volumes. What teenager can make a well-thought out decision about sex? They are WIRED to be guided and it's up to RESPONSIBLE adults to guide them in the right direction to help them avoid pitfalls (thank God my parents and teachers guided me).
Scienceguy, how much time do you spend mentoring young people? Perhaps Heritage was kicked out of those places because of politics. When two elephants fight, the only thing that gets hurt is the grass. The children are the grass in case you didn't understand the metaphor. You act as if "comprehensive" sex ed isn't getting any money....I know that there are a helluva lot more kids being taught about condoms and "safer sex" than about abstinence. Who is getting more money? The money that abstinence programs get is a drop in the bucket compared to what these other programs get. John Q & Scienceguy...your agendas are showing. Let's move beyond political crap and think about what's truly best for the young people for a change!
February 20, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scienceguy (anonymous) says...
DenmarkVesey1822:
Why was Heritage kicked out of Rhode Island? Pawtucket Superintendent Hans Dellith reportedly complained "that he was duped by Heritage officials." And, Chris Plante of Heritage of Rhode Island is quoted as saying, "Out of the box from South Carolina, things just didn't translate (in Rhode Island). Additionally, school administrator "McNamara said Plante misrepresented the course to get it into the Pawtucket school system."
Read the articles at:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhod... and http://www.projo.com/ri/pawtucket/con...
February 20, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karkar170 (anonymous) says...
IM AN 8TH GRADER AT THIS SCHOOL AND TOOK THIS CLASS.
last year, i took this class. i loved it. i learned so much. and now, i am totaly for abstance. i go to church.
and this was no some stupid Bush thing, well maybe it was for u, but not for me. thats what one of my friends parents said. but i wanted to take the class. i learned about STDS, and so much more. i asked her about abortion and she said. "i cant say anything about abortion." simple. i understood. my mom told me her opion about abortioin. and i agree with her. pro choise. theres rape and women will go to dangerious leaghs to getting a baby outta them. but im not talking about that. for me, this class was helpfull. i belive in abstance now, and im trying to stay fully comitted. your probaly say to yourself, "wtf? this little girl has no idea what shes talking about." but i do. i dont care what you think but please, keep it to yourself. i hope that more kids learn more about sex and its pros and cons.
thanks.
i also commented on the "big steal"
at this school. 7th grade was a bigg year for me.
October 6, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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