A Massachusetts school district is in controversy after conducting a health survey that included explicit sexual questions for middle school students, despite parents opting their children out. The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, backed by the CDC, aimed to gather data on various sensitive topics, but raised alarm among parents regarding age-appropriateness. Two parents have filed federal complaints alleging violations of parental rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, expressing concern about the nature of the survey questions directed at such young children.
"I felt absolutely sick to think that they were asking such explicit questions to children," said Adrianne Simeone, a Burlington mother who opted her 13-year-old son out of the survey. "My children know about sexual reproduction, but I have not talked to them about anal sex or oral sex or sex toys."
MLLC alleges that BPS violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which stipulates that K-12 schools that receive federal funding must notify parents and allow them to opt their children out of surveys involving sensitive topics.
One question in the 2025 survey asked students if they've ever had sexual intercourse, describing the act in detail and providing the definitions of oral and anal sex.
The survey, which is part of a national initiative developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asked students sensitive questions about alcohol, drug use, and gender identity.
#parental-rights #health-survey #burlington-public-schools #sex-education #youth-risk-behavior-survey
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