Across the country — and unfortunately, here in Massachusetts — we are seeing right-wing advocates mobilizing on behalf of narrowing school curricula, banning books, and erasing the experiences of LGBTQ youth.
That’s why it was great to hear that Governor Healey is taking steps to move Massachusetts in the opposite direction – that of inclusion.
According to Sex Ed for Social Change, which follows state trends in sex education, the curriculum framework for schools here in Massachusetts was last updated in 1999.
Healey’s proposed updated curriculum framework reflects the Healthy Youth Act (MA bills S.268 and H.544) by requiring that sex education be comprehensive, medically accurate, age-appropriate, consent-based, and inclusive — as it should be, and as it should have been a generation ago.
This legislation offers parents the ability to opt their children out of classes, and local schools the flexibility to shape their own curriculum. It is endorsed by the MA Healthy Youth Coalition (HYC) and has broad legislative support.
DESE will accept public comment on the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum for grades K-12 until August 28th, 2023.
You can submit public comment one of four ways:
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Use the Public Comment Survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6646350/Comprehensive-Health-and-Physical-Education-Framework-Public-Comment
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Email Kristen McKinnon at chpef@mass.gov
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Contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Attention: Kristen McKinnon, 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
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