It peaked at 44.7 in 1991. Nationally now, it is 49.6. In central Wisconsin, the numbers paint a more optimistic picture. Adams and Clark counties decreased slightly. Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Waushara and Wood counties showed a minimal increase.
Local educators attribute the decline to preventative courses.
There is some movement within the churches to work on abstinence. I think there are certain students who are more educated on prevention. Alft said students also might be thinking about their futures before making a poor decision. They're still trying to be a teen-ager. Many of them are learning the parenting role, and they're dealing with their own family role.