We hear it all the time: “I wish I’d had this in high school.”  

Whether we’re speaking with parents, sharing Prevention’s impact at A CAASE of Empowerment, or presenting at the National Sex Ed Conference, the adults we meet often think immediately of how things might have been different if sex ed like ours existed when they were kids. 

Many people’s memories of sex ed fall into one of two categories: awkward or incomplete. It’s a rushed unit in heath class, a lecture on risks and consequences, a series of anatomical diagrams presented by a squeamish gym teacher. 

Sex ed doesn’t have to be this way. When it’s done well, it can give young people the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to build healthy relationships, advocate for themselves, and take care of their partners. 

And it can even be fun.  

Things change fast, but we’re on top of it 

High school isn’t what it used to be. Language evolves, trends come and go, technology reshapes how students connect, and the social dynamics in a single school year can look totally different by spring break. The pressures teens face aren’t static, and neither are the risks.  

That’s why we stay nimble. 

Last month, at the National Sex Ed Conference in Baltimore, CAASE’s Prevention team presented on calling students in—rather than out—when they troll us, parrot harmful rhetoric they’ve heard online, or disrupt workshops because they’re uncomfortable. We guided sex educators from across the country on ways to minimize conflict, keep lessons engaging, and ensure that prevention workshops remain spaces where everyone is able to learn something. 

We also learned a lot from our peers. We saw firsthand how educators are adapting to meet the needs of the youth they serve. They’re developing strategies to navigate AI-generated imagery, address consent in digital spaces, and respond courageously to policy shifts that threaten their expertise. 

What stood out most was how sex educators are committed to staying current without losing a foundation of evidence and best practices. 

And so are we.  

Sex ed, the right way 

So, what can we do to ensure quality, engaging sex ed for our students? 

At CAASE, we focus on a few core principles. 

Make it honest and accurate 

Young people have great barometers for BS, particularly when it’s coming from adults avoiding the truth.  

Good sex ed doesn’t rely on scare tactics or vague warnings. It provides clear, accurate information that young people can actually use. We answer questions directly, explain concepts plainly, and work to make a classroom environment where curiosity feels cringy or embarrassing.  

Keep it relevant and student-centered 

While we believe we have a lot to teach today’s youth, we know there’s a lot we can learn from them, too. 

Every classroom is different, and the issues students care about shift quickly. By listening to their questions and encouraging discussion, we’re able to adapt our examples and conversations to reflect what students are actually experiencing. 

This helps create workshops that speak to their daily lives—their friendships, their relationships, their online interactions, and the pressures they navigate every day. 

Build skills and reduce shame 

Sex ed doesn’t have to be an info dump full of technical terms and legal definitions.  

We know information matters, especially at a time when sex educators feel increasing pressure and scrutiny about what they’re allowed to discuss. But information alone isn’t enough.  

Students also need practical skills: how to communicate boundaries, how to check in with their partners, how to recognize pressure or manipulation, and how to support a friend who might be going through something difficult. And, just as importantly, they need spaces to talk about these subjects without shame. By creating nonjudgmental environments, we help students move past the awkwardness that often surrounds and stifles conversations about sex. 

Make prevention part of it 

At CAASE, prevention doesn’t only happen in the classroom.  

Our work with the Chicago Prevention Alliance brings together educators, advocates, and community partners to strengthen sexual harm prevention across Chicago. By sharing strategies, building partnerships, and supporting one another’s work, we ensure that young people encounter consistent messages. 

Workshops are one powerful piece of that ecosystem, but lasting change happens when schools and communities play a role, too. 

Have conversations, not lectures 

One of the things that strikes adults the most when they see our workshops is just how interactive they are. 

Instead of standing at the front of the room and talking at students, our educators facilitate discussions, lead activities, and invite students to explore scenarios where they can think critically and share perspectives. This approach does two important things. First, it helps students practice the kinds of conversations they’ll need to have in real life. Second, it shows them that their voices matter. 

When students feel respected in the classroom, they’re more willing to engage with challenging topics. 

From a national stage to your seat in the classroom 

This April, you have a chance to experience our prevention work yourself.  

 At A CAASE of Empowerment, a special event happening on Wednesday, April 29, we’re inviting supporters to get a glimpse of our work firsthand. The evening will feature interactive moments inspired by the workshops our prevention educators lead with high school students every day. 

You’ll see how we turn sensitive topics into meaningful conversations, how we help students practice real-life communication skills, and how prevention can start with something as simple as asking better questions. It’s a rare chance to see the impact of prevention education up close—and to support the work that makes it possible. 

Join us and help ensure that the next generation gets sex ed that’s honest, empowering, and something they’ll remember fondly. 

This piece was published on March 9, 2026. It was authored by Ryan Spooner. Learn more about our staff here.