A new budget cycle is about to begin, and the Obama administration has proposed some new ideas. Over the last 25 years, almost $2 billion dollars has been spent on abstinence-only education programs that, according to a study by Dr. Douglas Kirby, a leading sex education researcher, have proven ineffective. Obama’s term is coming to an end, and as a final act his administration is hoping to eliminate over $10 million in federal spending on these programs – opting instead for a $4 million a year approach that uses more scientifically studied and vetted courses that include contraceptive use.

“I fully agree,” Elizabeth Jones, junior and self identified democrat, said. “Alabama, Mississippi and Texas have some of the highest teen pregnancy rates, and they’re some of the biggest proponents of it, and it’s obvious it’s not working.”

This is a big change for many Texas students, as Texas is a state that heavily relied on government funding for it’s primarily abstinence-only health courses. If the budget is approved, this funding would disappear and states would either have to pay for these classes out of pocket or implement the funded courses.

Kevin Khanna, junior who self identifies as democratic, agrees with the statement that abstinence only education is inadequate.

“I remember there was this one part where the teacher came in and she was like ‘well, call me old fashioned but I think women should stay at home and cook dinner for the family and not work’ and that blew my mind that that’s what we teach women in our society,” he said.

Some students feel though that the responsibility falls to the students regardless of which program is taught.

“It all depends, because it goes over some students’ heads, but the ones who actually pay attention, it means a lot to them,” Ashton Clark, senior, said.

Jones disagrees however, and feels that an all-inclusive sex education program will only benefit students.

“In Colorado, there was a study, they started informing people about birth control, and started giving them access to it as teenagers and the rate of it [teen pregnancies] plummeted, and so many more – not just pregnancies, STDs,” Jones said. “They were like ‘here this is how to use a condom,’ and the kids were like ‘wow I’ll do that instead of risking getting gonorrhea.’ It’s amazing what happens when you educate children.”

The proposed budget will be voted on by the end of September.