Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
and glad to see that sex education is mandatory in middle school. "It's appropriate," she says. "ey aren't too young to be learn about these things." A S H I F T I N T H I N K I N G A N D T E AC H I N G California is the first state in the n a t i o n t o b r i n g l e s s o n s a b o u t sexual consent — now required at many colleges — down to the secondary school level. Under the "Yes means yes" standard, sexual activity is considered consensual only when both partners clearly state their willingness to participate through "affirmative, con- scious and voluntary agreement" at every stage. is includes touching and kissing. Sen. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), president pro tem of the state Senate and lead sponsor of SB 695, calls it a "para- digm shift" as well as a legal shift that changes the practice of blaming victims for their behavior. For stu d ent s, h ow e v er, c on sent i s s om etim e s a g ray area in th e a ge of "hooking up" and awkward conversation. So it's best to have communication skills firmly in place before they are pressured, say teachers. And the best way to do that is to practice. At R a n c h o C o t a t e Hi g h S c h o o l i n R o h n e r t Pa r k , f r e s h m e n w r i t e a n d perform skits for drama teacher Reu- ben Steinglass to show they understand consent. A recurring theme is students drinking at a party and being pressured or taken advantage of. In one skit, a girl at a party is asked by her boyfriend to go someplace and "talk privately" and is pressured into having sex. She returns in tears, while the boy high-fives his friends. Steinglass, who also teaches English, says a few students have asked to be excused from skits on thi s topic. He believes they may have already experi- enced this trauma. Other students think it will never happen to them, and then realize they could be vulnerable. "is has opened my eyes," says Olivia Keeler. "It's important that someone gives consent and knows they don't have to do something they don't want to do." "You definitely have to be more careful in situations and watch out for the people you are with," says Kaitlynne Droubay. David Ascencio believes the skits portray real-life situations that are "typical" of what happens. "Once you realize how you find yourself in a difficult situation, you understand how to get out of it." Steinglass and English teacher Heather Brown, both members of the Rohnert Park Cotati Educators Association, asked students to cre- ate a website on " Yes means yes" a year before the new laws went into effect. It is a resource for the school's health teacher, counselors and others in the district. e website has sections on preventing sexual violence, gender identity issues and how sexuality is portrayed in the media. "e seniors who created the website have provided a legacy for incoming stu- dents," says Steinglass. "I'd like to have it updated by another class." Brown is extremely proud of the work students put into the project. " The subject is near and dear to my heart, because my college friend was raped," she says. "So I think every student needs to understand what to do and what their rights are, so that they have the power to make changes and be a force of change not only for themselves, but their peers." In health class at Washington High School, teacher Ruth Bauer strives to make everyone feel accepted. Recently in class a student came out as being transgender. "My goal is not to advocate or be a salesman for any course of action. I [just help] students develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development. I want students to love themselves." — RUTH BAUER 40 cta.org