Healthy Youth Coalition Celebrates BESE Vote to Adopt New Health Education Framework

BOSTON – The Healthy Youth Coalition applauds the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's (BESE's) unanimous decision today to adopt the new 2023 Health and Physical Education Framework. The health education framework was unveiled by the Healey-Driscoll Administration earlier this summer and was brought before BESE for a vote following a 60-day public comment period. 

“Thank you to the hundreds of people who took the time to take action in support of health education. You made it possible to arrive at this framework, which is in deep alignment with the goals of the Healthy Youth Act, paving the way for inclusive, medically accurate, and age appropriate sex and relationship education to be taught in our schools. This is the education young people across Massachusetts need and deserve,” said Jaclyn Friedman, Executive Director of EducateUS and Chair of the Healthy Youth Coalition.  

“We are grateful to BESE for their recognition that it is time to bring sex and relationship education in Massachusetts into the twenty-first century. This framework emphasizes consent, affirms LGBTQ+ young people, and is a thoughtful and evidence-based approach to health education. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and help districts and teachers across our state implement this exciting new framework,” said Megara Bell, Director of Partners in Sex Education.  

“BESE’s vote today is a vote of confidence in our state’s young people. We are indebted to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for releasing the draft framework earlier this summer that made this vote possible. We now shift our attention to the legislature to work collaboratively with them to accomplish the remaining aims of the Healthy Youth Act,” said Carrie Richgels, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Fenway Health. 

"We are grateful to BESE for approving a framework that includes vital aspects of effective sexual health education: consent, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and age-appropriate lessons. This is a major win for Massachusetts' students and educators because having a health education framework that is grounded in science and reflects national standards will help health educators teach students what they need to know at every grade level and create safer classroom environments for everyone,” said Jennifer Hart, Vice President of Education, Learning, and Engagement at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

While this updated framework is an important step toward achieving access to comprehensive sex and relationship education for young people in Massachusetts, the framework’s impact would be strengthened with passage of the Healthy Youth Act since the legislation would enhance the impact of the framework, provide a timeline for regular reviews and updates to the framework, and institute a data collection requirement. The Healthy Youth Coalition’s advocacy to pass the Healthy Youth Act will continue to ensure that the other aims of the bill are achieved. 

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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, Instagram, TikTok, and X.