The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides curriculum frameworks that outline what K-12 students should learn under each subject area. In June 2023 DESE published a draft updated Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework that includes learning objectives for sexual education. These standards comprise a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum model. CSE methodology posits that children are sexual from birth and have the right to sexual pleasure.

This Framework includes learning objectives that:

1. Normalize sexual activity for minors.
2. Promote radical gender ideology PreK-12.
3. Promote abortion.
4. Undermine parents and parental rights.

The CSE learning standards in this Framework are not age-appropriate, medically accurate, or evidenced-based and groom children toward early sexual debut and harmful transgender identification. They are designed to change the sexual and gender norms of society, promote high-risk sexual behaviors, and encourage even the youngest of children to experiment sexually.

We urge MA parents and stakeholders to petition DESE to reject the draft Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework.