The "just say no" approach isn't working in public-school sex education. The Volusia County School Board acknowledged that this week, approving a switch to a sex-education program that emphasizes abstinence but includes crucial information about reliable means of birth control and disease prevention.

The board should have gone further -- a sentiment several board members seemed to share.

By LINDA TRIMBLE
Education writer

DELAND -- Sex education classes in Volusia County schools are about to be expanded to include information on birth control and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases beginning in eighth grade.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Sex education could be expanded in Volusia County high schools to include birth control information if Superintendent Margaret Smith and the School Board go along with a recommendation from a diverse advisory committee that studied the issue.

"They were really concerned (high school students) should have contraception information. That was the focus of the group," said Emily Cortes-Torrado, chairwoman of Volusia's School Health Advisory Committee.