Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
Yes to the New Sex Ed I T W A S B R A C I N G to read that educa- tor Susan Garcia teaches affirmative consent — otherwise known as "Yes means yes" — to her middle school health class. "I'm not telling you to have sex," says Garcia to students in our story "The New Facts of Life" ( page 38). "But it 's impor tant to think about these things before you are pressured to engage in activity." As a parent of current and soon- t o - b e m i d d l e s c h o o l e r s , I h a v e moments when I think my "babies" are too young for such information. But I know in our hypersexualized soci- ety kids grow up fast, and it's critical for them to learn the facts about sex, understand their own and others' sexuality, and be able to navigate sexual relationships. And not every parent has "the conversation" with their chil- dren. Which is why, as our story explains, teaching affirmative consent is now mandatory in high school, and can be found in middle school curric- ulum as well. Sex ed, of course, is just a small part of what educators focus on, especially with new standards to master. "A Work in Progress" (page 23) checks in with a number of members on their views of the Common Core State Stan- dards rollout after its first full year of implementation, coinciding with a new survey on the state standards by research agency WestEd. Both members and survey indicate that while there are real challenges and frustrations, teachers for the most part are embracing Common Core and students are reaping the benefits. More good news #1: "A Positive Approach to Discipline" (page 42) underscores the success that restorative justice approaches have in helping keep students in school and classrooms safe and peaceful. To engage educators in the most effective ways to create restorative schools, CTA and its partners are presenting several regional forums in May to explore best practices. More good news #2: "Champions of Human Rights" (page 44) celebrates recipients of CTA's Human Rights Awards, which recognize outstanding ded- ication to promoting and protecting human and civil rights. Our heroes range from a college professor who co-founded Black Lives Matter to a spe- cial ed teacher and tireless advocate for immigrant students and families. Be sure to read about Google's initiative that puts virtual reality in edu- cation (Tech Tips, page 12). e technology offers an increasingly popular editor's note and affordable way for students to experience different worlds and cultures, without leaving the classroom. But it's no substitute for the great outdoors. Our cover feature "Take It Outside" (page 18) looks at various educators' efforts to take students outside to get closer to nature, help them think differently, and inspire them with real-life examples of science, math and art. All good reasons to put down that device, turn off the computer and head outdoors. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org Back to School Stories The first day back to school is always rife with surprises and little gaffes — from unexpected critters in the classroom, to kids who grew a foot between May and August, to suddenly realizing you're wear- ing two different shoes. Tell us your stories — we'll publish a selection in our August issue. Email editor@cta.org with "Back to School" in the subject line, or tweet/Insta- gram @WeAreCTA, #ctabacktoschool. Coming Up in May: • Dual immersion programs: Rewriting the language of success? • Benefits of play: Recess makes a comeback • Best friends: Winners of the Pets of CTA contest 7 April 2016