Healthy Youth Coalition Applauds Healey Administration's New Health Education Framework

BOSTON - Today, the Healthy Youth Coalition was proud to join Governor Maura Healey as she announced that her Administration and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education put forward a new K-12 health education framework that works to achieve the goals of the Healthy Youth Act.

The Healthy Youth Coalition responded to the announcement with the following statement:

“The Healthy Youth Coalition has been advocating for the State to update the sex and relationship education-related standards in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework for nearly a decade. We’re thrilled that the Healey Administration has taken this major step to update the 1999 Framework in a way that aligns with the goals of the Healthy Youth Act and brings health education in Massachusetts into the 21st century. This announcement will help ensure that the sex and relationship education taught in Massachusetts public schools is medically accurate, age appropriate, and inclusive. We know this type of education protects young people against bullying and abuse, helps them develop healthy relationship skills, and improves their academic performance. We also know that sex and relationship education that is accurate and inclusive reduces rates of sexually transmitted infections and sexual violence – both concerning public health trends on the rise across the nation. We urge the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to promptly approve this new Framework to put an end to the outdated and inaccurate health education many young people receive in our schools.”  

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About the Healthy Youth Coalition: The Healthy Youth Coalition is a statewide grassroots coalition that includes young people, educators, health care professionals, sexual and domestic violence prevention experts, and advocates for LGBTQ+ health and well-being. Members of the coalition include EducateUS, Fenway Health, Aids Action, Partners in Sex Education, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, National Association of Social Workers - MA Chapter, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Jane Doe, Inc., the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Reproductive Equity Now, and more. To learn more about the Health Youth Coalition, visit: https://www.healthyyouthact.org/ or follow @healthyyouthma on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.