A new report finds sex education in city schools is not up to state standards.
The city Comptroller's office says only half of eighth grade students complete the mandatory semester of health education.
The report also found 88 percent of schools teaching grade 6 and up don't have enough state licensed teachers for sex ed classes.
Officials say the lack of education is having direct consequences.
"Among city teens, the rate of gonorrhea infection rose 10 percent from 2014 to 2015," said Comptroller Scott Stringer. "Roughly one fifth of high school students reported not using any contraception, which is higher than the national average. And 11 percent reported experiencing sexual violence during the past 12 months."
Stringer is urging the education department to partner with other city agencies to improve sex education programs.