Outline of the state of Massachusetts
State
Massachusetts
Requires medically-accurate comprehensive sex education

Category
Sexual Health Education General—ES

Category
Sexual Health Education General—ES

State law requires teaching comprehensive sex education, medically-accurate sex education, or otherwise addresses all elements of comprehensive sex education as defined by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

General Laws of Massachusetts 69.1D Statewide educational goals: academic Standard

The Standard may provide for instruction in the issues of physical education, human immunodeficiency virusand acquired immune deficiency syndrome education, violence prevention, including teen dating violence, bullying prevention,conflict resolution and drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention

Policy Type
Statute

Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework

"Students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make effective personal decisions that promote their emotional, sexual, and reproductive health." p.4

Policy Type
Non-codified

Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework

Reproduction/Sexuality involves physical development, emotions, and social elements. Instruction incorporates aspects of biology, psychology, sociology, literature, the arts, and philosophy.

The study of Reproduction/Sexuality provides young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed choices. It addresses decisions about abstaining from and postponing sexual intercourse. Knowledge about how to avoid sexually transmitted infections that endanger one's health and well being as well as that of a partner is an important component of instruction. Communication skills can support such decisions. Addressing Reproduction/Sexuality in an appropriate and factual fashion leads to informed young people, increasing the likelihood of students making healthy decisions. It is particularly important in Reproduction/Sexuality to consider developmental appropriateness. Topics generally covered in Reproduction/Sexuality include: Development and Wellness.

Policy Type
Standard