Sex and Wellness Education Adjustments in Massachusetts Schools Get Approval

Massachusetts students will now have access to a lot more inclusive and complete sex and wellness education, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. This is the 1st update to the curriculum frameworks because 1999. The new requirements are divided into 4 age groups: pre-K by way of second grade, grades three-five, grades six-eight, and grades 9-12.

For the youngest students, the concentrate is on finding out about healthier consuming, managing anxiety, practicing fantastic hygiene, and understanding emergency conditions. They will also be taught about gender stereotypes, bullying, and the significance of taking medication as directed.

As youngsters progress by way of college, the curriculum expands to involve education on sex, healthier relationships, gender identity, substance use, and staying secure from human and sex trafficking. The recommendations also present a lot more particular, science-primarily based procedures for physical education.

To create these new requirements, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education performed a summer season-extended public comment period, in the course of which they received pretty much five,400 comments by way of a variety of channels such as e mail, mail, and on line surveys.