WHEREAS, The United States has the highest teenage pregnancy rate and number of births of all developed countries. Approximately one million teenagers become pregnant each year and nearly four out of every 10 young women become pregnant at least once before reaching the age of 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Despite the recent decline in teen birth rates, teen pregnancy remains a significant social problem that impacts every community. More than 50,000 California teenagers are expected to become pregnant in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Reducing teen pregnancy is consistent with the State Department of Education’s mission to ensure that all students achieve their full academic potential, to promote students’ healthy physical and emotional growth and development, and to reduce the dropout rate in our schools; and

WHEREAS, The health effects of early pregnancy and childbearing can be particularly serious and long lasting. One-third of pregnant teens receive inadequate prenatal care, often resulting in babies that are more likely to have low birth weight, childhood health problems, and more frequent hospitalizations than those babies born to older mothers; and

WHEREAS, Teen pregnancy is also an adult problem because adults create the environment and deliver the messages that shape teen attitudes about sexuality. It is the responsibility of adults in California to take action and create communities in which adolescents can become sexually healthy by providing comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education, positive adult role models, and access to contraception for teens who are sexually active; and

WHEREAS, A sexually healthy adolescent is well informed about a broad range of sexual health topics, knows when and where to seek additional information and health care, understands sexual orientation and identity, has a positive body image and sense of self, has the skills to negotiate relationships, understands his or her rights in a sexual relationship, and understands the potential consequences of sexual activity; and

WHEREAS, Even with the recent drop in teenage pregnancy rates, California’s teenage pregnancy rates still rank second nationally; now, therefore, be it