Abstinence Education: Efforts to Assess the Accuracy and Effectiveness of Federally Funded Programs

This report, produced by the Government Accountability Office, describes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS') efforts to assess the scientific accuracy of materials used in abstinence-until-marriage education programs and the efforts of DHHS, states, and researchers to assess the effectiveness of such programs. Discussion topics include limitations of federal and state efforts to assess the scientific accuracy of materials used in these programs, limits to the conclusions drawn on the programs' effectiveness, and recommendations for executive action, agency comments, and evaluation.