Midwestern states with mandated sex-ed classes rank lower in teenage pregnancy rates

Illinois leads in teenage pregnancy rates compared to the rest of the Midwest.

By: Savannah T. Jones

Out of the twelve Midwestern states, Illinois has the largest rate of teenage pregnancies with a rate of 57 percent among teenage girls. The most recent study by The Guttmacher Institute shows from 2010-2013 teenage pregnancies comprised 7,296 of the average 128,000 pregnancies for Illinois. Fellow Midwestern state Wisconsin’s teenage pregnancy rates only made up 18 percent of total pregnancies for the state.

While Illinois leads in these underage pregnancies, the state falls behind regarding sex-education in schools. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 22 states mandate sex-ed classes in public schools while 47 percent of high school students are sexually active. Of these 22 schools, only 20 include information on HIV prevention.

Kansas and Missouri are the only Midwestern states to include mandatory sex-ed classes. Kansas maintains a student must receive parental consent before enrolling in a class and parental review can dictate the lesson plan. Protective materials like condoms cannot be distributed within Kansas schools without parent approval. Missouri’s sex-ed curriculum is also peer reviewed but insists information is medically and factually accurate as well as age appropriate. Nebraska education boards are currently evaluating specific strategies before implementing a state-wide lesson plan.