Massachusetts: Pol Pushes Sex Ed for All Schools

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State House is set to take up a bill that would make a broad health education curriculum, including sex education, mandatory in the state's public schools.

Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge) is the chief sponsor of the bill to mandate the curriculum, which was developed by the state Department of Education. "I don't think there are very many school systems that address health in a comprehensive manner," she said.

The bill's intention is that all students learn about the consequences of unsafe behaviors, from poor diet to drug use and risky sex, that many teens are already engaging in, Wolf said, adding that the curriculum includes abstinence education. "Kids are doing dangerous things. I am absolutely committed to having parents involved in the decision-making, but not all kids have vigilant parents," Wolf said. Forty groups, including Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, are supporting the plan.

Others, however, oppose the proposed instruction. Former Framingham teacher Alice Slatterly plans to testify against it. "The textbook recommended that teachers explain to students that some couples choose oral sex and anal sex rather than vaginal sex to prevent pregnancy, preserve virginity and achieve sexual satisfaction without intercourse," she said. "My concern is that they are teaching kids how to perform acts that are demoralizing and degrading, especially to girls."

The law would not require a Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test. It would also not alter the existing law that requires districts to tell parents when sex education is taught and allow them to opt their children out.

Back to other news for January 27, 2006