'Woefully out of date': Cape school revisits sex-ed curriculum to suit diverse needs

The Senate has approved legislation to update the sex-education curriculum in Massachusetts, but its future is uncertain.

At the same time, schools on Cape Cod and the Islands are working with guidelines proposed by Gov. Maura Healey in 2023 to make their curriculum more suited to the needs of the diverse student population.

While the approval of the Healthy Youth Act in the Senate inspires action within schools, it also faces a fair amount of opposition and criticism, particularly about the content not being “age-appropriate" and some saying it would mandate "comprehensive sexual education."

Under the Healthy Youth Act, school districts which choose to teach sex education would follow state guidelines and examine the formation of healthy relationships; gender identity and sexual orientation; preventing sexually transmitted diseases; discussing safe sex; and more.

“This is a common-sense bill,” Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro said, of the Healthy Youth Act.

Meanwhile, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted guidelines for schools in 2023 that under state law must teach health and physical education, providing discretion to determine how standards are implemented at the local level, including what curriculum and materials they will use. Parents also have the right to have their children opt out.

The Healthy Youth Act was approved by the Senate for the fifth time, but it is unlikely to win approval in the House where Speaker Ron Mariano has said he would prefer school districts work with the DESE guidelines.

Inclusivity in the spotlight: Cyr on sex education curriculum

“Opposition to this legislation really stems from irrational homophobia and transphobia that doesn't meet students where they are,” said Cyr, who noted the model health curriculum for Massachusetts schools, which includes sexual education, was last updated in 1999, before Healey's DESE guideline updates last year.

He said it is “woefully out of date.”

He noted that Cape residents understand the need to be inclusive and welcoming to all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender and identity.

Cyr added that the bill is now in the hands of the House, and said, “We will continue to monitor the legislation and advocate for these long overdue updates when we can.”

Sturgis’ efforts at making sex-ed more comprehensive

Paul Marble, executive director at Sturgis Charter Public School said the school has been using the professional services of Sukriti Dabral, a sexuality and wellness educator, to teach sexual health and wellness for the past five years.

“We will certainly incorporate any new state-approved topics or requirements into the curriculum,” Marble said.

“My main goal is supporting people to be themselves well and to have healthy and fulfilling lives,” said Dabral.

The topics covered in her curriculum include sexual health and wellness, consent and communication, pregnancy prevention through birth control measures such as using condoms, gender identities, sexual orientation, and diversity, all of which are structured into a letter and sent to the parents two weeks ahead of time, according to Dabral.

“I also offer actual condom practice in the classroom as part of that lesson on wooden models,” Dabral said.

Dabral said under the current laws, anyone could teach anything and call it sex education and there’s no standard regulation, and that could contribute to spreading misinformation.

After repeated attempts, Monomoy Regional School District was unable to provide a timely comment on the subject. Barnstable Public Schools declined to comment on the advice of its attorney.

Boston University Statehouse Program writer Casey Choung contributed to this story.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 'Healthy Youth Act' would make sex education more inclusive