Editor’s Note: The materials described in this article may be familiar to longtime members of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles. They were initially distributed by Project Reality, then on behalf of CCAP, and currently by A&M Research under the Success Sequence Program.

Abstinence & Marriage Education Resources (A&M) has provided the Success Sequence Program to schools in all 50 states and Puerto Rico for an estimated 2 million teenagers, presenting a clear alternative to non-stop cultural messages that promote sexual promiscuity.

Today’s teens are exposed to 9 hours of media per day, much of which not only promotes promiscuity but denigrates the institution of marriage. A&M founder Scott Phelps says we must be particularly concerned about our youth, who are the primary recipients of these constant and pervasive negative influences.

The media also fosters the notion that sex is cool and normative. But Phelps says these harmful messages “hinder students’ ability to perform well academically and socially.” Research from Columbia University indicates that sexually active teens are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs.

They are also more likely to experience an unwed pregnancy. The non-marital birth rate in the United States now stands at 40 percent and is moving quickly toward the 50 percent mark. Soon, every other child in America will be born out of wedlock, which has significant implications for individuals and society. The breakdown of marriage and family is at the very heart of American social decay. But identifying negative trends is only the beginning. The challenge is to find the solution.

Phelps’s organization seeks to strengthen the institution of marriage in America by reaching our youth with a clear, uncompromising message on the objective benefits of marriage. Through its programs, A&M teaches youth the importance of marriage and family and helps them understand that saving all sexual activity for marriage is one of the best ways to prepare for a healthy, future marriage and family.

A&M provides training and resources for educators to convey a clear abstinence message to youth with a particular emphasis on preparation for future marriage. Furthermore, research from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that abstinent teens demonstrate higher academic performance than their sexually active peers.

Research indicates that teens who avoid sexual activity are half as likely to be expelled from school, half as likely to drop out of school, and twice as likely to be attending or graduate from college.

A&M Resources seeks to partner with schools to improve academic success, and to protect students’ future educational, occupational, and familial opportunities. Phelps explains that they “provide high quality curricula to help teens understand the numerous benefits of reserving all sexual activity and childbearing for a marriage relationship.”

Phelps says the programs are well received by youth and have strong evidence of success. “Incorporating our character-based abstinence education programs into a school’s health curriculum will go a long way to improving test scores and overall academic performance.”

The workbooks

A&M Resources’ series of programs for teens help parents, teachers, and youth leaders provides a clear and compelling message to youth. Each of the five program workbooks is available in two versions; one for students and one for teachers.

The first workbook, Game Plan, was developed for students in grades 6-9 in both the government and private school setting. Game Plan uses a sports analogy to help students understand the importance of strategically setting goals, including choosing to save sex for marriage. Students are encouraged to make a “Game Plan” for their lives.

The next workbook, Quest, is designed for students in grades 7-10 in government or private schools. Quest uses true stories to help students along life’s journey. Practical instruction helps them identify their future goals, such as marriage and family, and avoid obstacles such as sexual activity and other risk behaviors that could keep them from achieving those goals.

The third workbook, Aspire, provides students in grades 8-12 with help and encouragement to seek their future goals. These include educational and financial success, as well as a healthy future marriage and family life.

The Navigator program is geared for students in grades 9-12 who attend government or private schools. Navigator helps them identify and avoid risk behaviors such as sexual activity, pornography, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Students are encouraged to navigate their way to a healthy, successful future.

Finally, Excel was developed for students in grades 7-12 in faith-based settings. It is a Bible study resource for churches, Christian schools, and pregnancy centers. Through the Excel program, students follow the biblical account of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) as he resists pressure to engage in sexual activity in order to accomplish all that God had prepared for him.

In addition, A&M offers free video resources for teachers to use in their classrooms, as well as free teacher training. To find out more about these proven resources or to order the workbooks, please use the contact information below.

info@SuccessSequence.com, 224-735-3628, www.SuccessSequence.com

Scott Phelps is Founder and Executive Director of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership. Each year, he speaks to thousands of teens around the country on the benefits of abstinence until marriage. He provides training seminars nationally to help educators and parents effectively communicate the message of abstinence to teens. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and a Master’s degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. Scott is the author of Aspire and Excel, and the co-author of A.C. Green’s Game Plan and Navigator, published by Project Reality. Scott and his wife, Carrie, have four children and reside near Chicago.

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