1. Q: What are sources of funding for Choosing the Best programs?

A: Many school districts view Choosing the Best as a supplemental textbook budget item and as such fund Choosing the Best programs within their existing budget. However, there are also opportunities to apply for various federal, state, and local grants.

One of the most promising grants is the recently reinstated Title V. Now federal law as part of the recent health care legislation, Title V provides block grants to states specifically for abstinence education under A-H criteria identical to that previously required in section 510 of the Welfare Reform Act. Choosing the Best meets these A-H criteria, and has a documented history of success implementing Title V grants.

For more information about using grants as a source of funds for Choosing the Best programs, please contact us at 1-800-774-BEST (2378) and request to speak with the Regional Director for your state.  He/she will personally assist you in determining grant opportunities.

2. Q: For what age group(s) are Choosing the Best programs targeted and what are the key differences among the programs?

A: Middle School programs include: Choosing the Best WAY (grade 6); Choosing the Best PATH (grade 7); and Choosing the Best LIFE (grade 8); High School Programs include: Choosing the Best JOURNEY (grades 9-10); and Choosing the Best SOUL MATE (grades 11-12).

All five curricula utilize Best Practices to most effectively provide abstinence and relationship education. However, the emphasis of WAY, PATH, LIFE, and JOURNEY is on empowering students to choose abstinence, while SOUL MATE focuses on teaching valuable relational skills necessary for a successful marriage, of which abstinence is a component.

WAY, PATH, LIFE, and JOURNEY each cover the risks of teen sexual behavior, the rewards of abstinence, peer pressure and refusal skills, an abstinence pledge, character education, building self-esteem, relationship education, and include parent interview assignments. However, the information in each of these programs is presented in a manner that is age-appropriate and maximizes learning for students given their stage of development. The key differences are the videos used, classroom exercises and the age-appropriate way the issues are discussed and presented. For example, the CTB WAY program, for 6th graders, covers making good decisions and developing the qualities of a good friend, important topics for the younger age groups. CTB PATH, for 7th grade students, provides a strong emphasis on teen role models who are choosing abstinence. Both WAY and PATH utilize experiential learning techniques to capture the attention of these young students. Choosing the Best LIFE, for 8th graders, provides an in-depth discussion of key issues affecting the sexual decision making of this age group, such as the use of alcohol, while JOURNEY for 9th graders expands the discussion to topics such as date rape and pornography. Choosing the Best SOUL MATE inspires upper high school students to develop the communication skills and personal qualities essential for successful relationships of all kinds — with parents, peers, co-workers, teachers — and ultimately, for a lasting marriage. A logical sequel to CTB abstinence programs for younger teens, SOUL MATE continues to emphasize that sexual abstinence is critical to preparing for a lifelong, lasting relationship.

For maximum impact, it is recommended that all five programs (including SOUL MATE) be used simultaneously and consecutively (referred to as a “scope and sequence” approach) to give students an age-appropriate, consistent, compelling message for abstinence during their critical adolescent years.

3. Q: Is teacher training required?

A: No, but it is highly recommended.  Each curriculum includes a detailed Leader’s Guide that provides a teacher with a comprehensive lesson plan on how to cover each topic; therefore training is not required to teach any of the Choosing the Best curricula. However, for best results in the classroom, teacher training is highly recommended. To learn more about training opportunities, please click here.

4. Q: Does Choosing the Best fulfill all state requirements? (i.e., is it state-approved?)

A: Choosing the Best is being used throughout the country, currently in 47 states.  However, in some states, particular approval processes are required. To obtain more information about the requirements in your state, please contact our office at 1-800-774-BEST (2378).

5. Q: How do I present Choosing the Best to a school or school board?

A: Please contact our office at 1-800-774-BEST (2378) and request to speak with the Regional Director for your state.  He/she will personally assist you in the best way to present Choosing the Best to your school or school board.

6. Q: How do I get parents involved?

A: Choosing the Best offers a parent education program (PARENT PREP) that provides a great overview of abstinence-centered education and the CTB curriculum, as well as a parent book (The BIG TALK Book).  Both have produced excellent results with parents in communities across the country. Please click here for more information on parent programs.