Wisconsin
Print
Wisconsin received $1,112,549 in federal funding for
abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in Fiscal Year 2003.1
Wisconsin Sexuality Education Law
Wisconsin state law encourages, but does not require, school boards to provide classes in sexuality education. These classes can occur in kindergarten through twelfth grade and must be age-appropriate.
This instruction may include:
- (a) Self-esteem, responsible decision making and personal responsibility.
- (b) Interpersonal relationships.
- (c) Discouragement of adolescent sexual activity.
- (d) Family life and skills required of a parent.
- (e) Human sexuality; reproduction; family planning, as defined in [state law] s.243.07
- (1) (a) including natural family planning; human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; prenatal development; childbirth; adoption; available prenatal and postnatal support; and male and female responsibility.
- (f) Sex stereotypes and protective behavior.
If a school board provides instruction in any of these areas, they must "also provide instruction in marriage and parental responsibility."
Parents and guardians must be given the opportunity to review all materials related to sexuality education classes. If such classes are offered, school boards must also form advisory councils consisting of "parents, teachers, school administrators, pupils, health care professionals, members of the clergy, and other residents of the school district" to review the sexuality education curricula at least every three years.
Parents or guardians can exempt their children from sexuality education classes. This is referred to as an "opt-out" policy.
See Wisconsin Statutes 115.35 and 118.019.
Recent Legislation
The Wisconsin legislature carries bills over from one session to the next. Wisconsin's legislature meets throughout the year but the regular session ended on March 25, 2004. All bills that did not pass by March 25 died.
Sexuality Education Bill Died
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 387 was offered on October 6, 2003 in the Committee on Education. AB 387, introduced on June 5, 2003, would have made changes to "human growth and development" curricula in the state. While existing law allows a school board to include instruction in "discouragement of adolescent sexual activity," the bill would provide instead for the promotion of abstinence as "the safest and best choice for pupils, and to include accurate information on family planning on contraception." Also, while under existing law a school board can provide instruction in HIV and AIDS, this would authorize instruction in all sexually transmitted diseases. The bill also addresses instruction relating to sexual exploitation, acquaintance rape, and legal consequences of sex with a minor as well as provisions about parent-child communication related to sexuality.
The amendment, offered on October 6 with a hearing held on October 7, would have made small changes to the bill. The first would make clear that "medically" accurate information should be given on family planning and contraception rather than simply "accurate" information. The amendment also changed language to "comprehensive, medically accurate instruction in human sexuality" rather than just "human sexuality" and included contraception among a list of possible topics.
With no further action, the bill died at the end of the 2004 legislative session.
EC Education Act and Comprehensive, Medically Accurate Sexuality Education Bills Die
Assembly Bill 979 and Senate Bill 544, both introduced in March 2004, would have enacted emergency contraception (EC) requirements for hospitals that provide emergency services. The bills also would have included the same provisions as Assembly Bill 387 with regard to sexuality education.
AB 979 and SB 544 died at the end of the 2004 legislative session.
Events of Note
Florists Distribute Abstinence Pledges With Prom Corsages
April 2002; Manitowoc County, WI
The Manitowoc County Abstinence Coalition teamed up with area florists to distribute True Love Waits abstinence pledge cards with corsages and boutonnieres sold to students attending local high school proms. Each card states "Prom...a night to remember not to regret."
According to one participating florist, "All the card is is (sic) a little, subtle reminder; there are consequences to your actions." The florist recognizes that "some parents may think it's their responsibility alone to influence their teens' behavior," but she agrees with the basic message and does not believe that her business will suffer any negative financial impact due to her participation.2
Wisconsin's Youth: Statistical Information of Note3
- In 2003, 38% of female high school students and 36% of male high school students in Wisconsin reported ever having had sexual intercourse compared to 45% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 2% of female high school students and 4% of male high school students in Wisconsin reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13 compared to 4% of female high school students and 10% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 8% of female high school students and 10% of male high school students in Wisconsin reported having had four or more lifetime sexual partners compared to 11% of female high school students and 18% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 30% of female high school students and 24% of male high school students in Wisconsin reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey) compared to 35% of females and 34% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 22% of females and 30% of males in Wisconsin reported having used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 21% of females and 30% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 61% of females and 71% of males in Wisconsin reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 57% of females and 69% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 29% of females and 19% of males in Wisconsin reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 21% of females and 13% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, 4% of female high school students and 2% of male high school students in Wisconsin reported ever having been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant compared to 5% of female high school students and 4% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2000, Wisconsin's abortion rate was 12 per 1,000 women ages 15-19 compared to a teen abortion rate of 24 per 1,000 nationwide.4
- In 2001, Wisconsin's birth rate was 34 per 1000 women ages 15-19 compared to a teen birth rate of 45 per 1,000 nationwide.5
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Youth: Statistical Information of Note
- In 2003, 55% of female high school students and 65% of male high school students in Milwaukee reported ever having had sexual intercourse compared to 45% of female high school students and 48% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 5% of female high school students and 18% of male high school students in Milwaukee reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13 compared to 4% of female high school students and 10% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 14% of female high school students and 32% of male high school students in Milwaukee reported having had four or more lifetime sexual partners compared to 11% of female high school students and 18% of male high school students nationwide.
- In 2003, 37% of female high school students and 43% of male high school students in Milwaukee reported being currently sexually active (defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey) compared to 35% of females and 34% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 9% of females and 24% of males in Milwaukee reported having used alcohol or drugs the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 21% of females and 30% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 63% of females and 78% of males in Milwaukee reported having used condoms the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 57% of females and 69% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, among those high school students who reported being currently sexually active, 12% of females and 7% of males in Milwaukee reported having used birth control pills the last time they had sexual intercourse compared to 21% of females and 13% of males nationwide.
- In 2003, 10% of female high school students and 6% of male high school students in Milwaukee reported ever having been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant compared to 5% of female high school students and 4% of male high school students nationwide.
Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding
Wisconsin received $795,859 in federal Title V funding in Fiscal Year 2003. The Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage grant requires states to provide three state-raised dollars or the equivalent in services for every four federal dollars received. The state match can be provided in part or in full by local groups. Wisconsin does an in-kind match using tobacco control funds.
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS), Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Bureau of Community and Family Development (BCFD) coordinate the Wisconsin Abstinence Education Project (WAEP). Approximately $375,000 of the funding is used by the WAEP media information and material production. The rest of the funding is given out in grants to groups across the state.
Special Projects of Regional and National Significance-Community Based Abstinence Education (SPRANS-CBAE) and Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA) Grantees
There is one SPRANS-CBAE grantee in Wisconsin: the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. There is one AFLA grantee in Wisconsin: the Wise Women Gathering Place.
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin focuses on "harm reduction." The organization runs a needle exchange program, works with women who have sex for money and/or drugs, and focus on LGBTQ populations.
Wise Women Gathering Place also works with a variety of populations including lesbians, bisexual women, immigrants, and HIV-positive women. It uses the AFLA funds for "Discovery Dating," a program for eighth grade girls that focuses on assertiveness training, decision making choices, and mentoring programs.
Federal and State Funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs in FY 2003
Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Grantee Length of Grant | Amount of Grant | Type of Grant (includes SPRANS-CBAE, Title V, and AFLA) |
Wisconsin Abstinence Education Project http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/waiy/index.htm | $795,859 federal/ $795,859 state | Title V |
Bethany Christian Services http://www.bethany.org | $40,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Center for Self-Sufficiency | $50,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Community Enterprises of Greater Milwaukee | $75,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
Family Resource Center http://www.frc-sc.org | $37,500 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Family Support Center | $40,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Jefferson Co. Human Services | $73,244 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Lincoln Country Social Services | $20,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
Medical College of Wisconsin http://www.mcw.edu | $60,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
Rosalie Manor http://www.rosaliemanor.org | $50,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Shalom Zone | $46,580 | Title V sub-grantee |
| Up Connection | $50,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
| WI Coulee Community Action Program | $20,000 | Title V sub-grantee |
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin 2002-2003
http://www.arcw.org
| $91,690 | SPRANS-CBAE (Planning Grant) |
| Wise Women Gathering Place | $225,000 | AFLA |
Title V Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Coordinator
Annie Miller
Wisconsin Division of Children and Family Services
One W. Wilson St, Room 531
PO Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708
Phone: (608) 261-7654
Wisconsin Organizations that Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education
ACLU of Wisconsin
207 E. Buffalo St., Suite 325
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 272-4032
http://www.aclu-wi.org
Action Wisconsin
1202 Williamson St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 441-0143
http://www.actionwisconsin.org
NARAL of Wisconsin
122 State St., Suite 402
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 287-0016
http://www.naralwi.org
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
302 N. Jackson St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 271-8045
http://www.plannedparenthoodwi.org
Wisconsin Organizations that Oppose Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Family Research Institute of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 2075
Madison, WI 53701
Phone: (608) 256-3228
http://www.fri-wi.org
Pro-Life Wisconsin
19270 North Hills Dr.
P.O. Box 221
Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: (262) 796-1111
http://www.prolifewisconsin.org
Newspapers in Wisconsin
Green Bay Press-Gazette
Terry Anderson
Community News Reporter
435 E. Walnut St.
Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 431-8214
The Janesville Gazette
Tracy Ndlovu
Medical/Health Editor
1 S. Parker Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 754-3311
The Journal Times
Lee Roberts
Medical/Health Reporter
212 4th St.
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 631-1721
Kenosha News
Liza Berger
Community News Reporter
5800 7th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 656-6289
La Crosse Tribune
Sue Webb
Community News Editor
401 3rd St. N.
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: (608) 791-8234
Leader-Telegram
Jennifer Schmidt
Medical/Health Editor
701 S. Farwell St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: (715) 830-5840
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bruce Murphy
Community News Reporter
333 W. State St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 224-2064
Oshkosh Northwestern
Jeff Potts
Medical/Health Editor
224 State St.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: (920) 426-6671
The Post-Crescent
Ed Lowe
Community News Staff Writer
306 W. Washington St.
Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: (920) 993-1000
Wisconsin State Journal
Patricia Simms
Medical/Health Reporter
1901 Fish Hatchery Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: (608) 252-6126
References
- This refers to the fiscal year for the Federal Government which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2003 begins on October 1, 2002 and ends on September 30, 2003.
- C. Mathews, "Lakeshore Florists Urge Abstinence," Herald Times Reporter, Mar. 26, 2002.
- Unless otherwise cited, all statistical information comes from: J. Grunbaum, et. al., "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003," Surveillance Summaries, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 53, no.SS-2, May 21, 2004, pp. 1-95. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs/.
- U.S. Teenage Pregnancy Statistics: Overall Trends, Trends by Race and Ethnicity and State-by-State Information, (New York: Alan Guttmacher Institute, February, 2004). Available online at www.guttmacher.org.
- A. Papillo, et.al., Facts at a Glance, (Washington, DC: Child Trends, February, 2004).
