School districts more often chose to use evidence-based, abstinence-plus sexuality education when there is a state directive and connections to funding, according to research on sexuality education choices in Mississippi. The study reviewed school choices after Mississippi mandated that schools adopt sexuality education programs in 2011, and about half of the districts chose abstinence-plus over abstinence-only. Political leanings had little impact on districts’ choices. In fact, poorer districts and more urban districts tended to opt for abstinence-plus curricula, as did districts that connected to a nonprofit to help facilitate funding. Grantee American University School of Public Affairs supported the research, which suggests that increasing pregnancy prevention funding could increase the use of evidence-based curricula.
