Over the past 40 years, Vermont’s sex education curriculum has undergone a dramatic shift. What was once a high school health class subject, primarily focused on biological reproduction and disease prevention, has now expanded into a comprehensive, identity-focused curriculum starting in kindergarten.

This shift is reflected in the 2018 publication of the Full Spectrum: Educators’ Guide to Implementing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed, a collaborative document created by Outright Vermont, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and the Vermont Agency of Education. The guide encourages the integration of LGBTQ+ topics and gender-inclusive language into all aspects of sex education, including lessons for early grade levels.

Today’s programs introduce discussions on gender identity, sexual orientation, even aspects of sexual pleasure, along with inclusive language reforms—topics that were previously left to parents and families. This evolution has been largely driven by activist organizations, education policy shifts, and changes in federal and state funding.

Sex Education in the 1980s: A High School Subject

In the 1980s, sex education was typically introduced in high school health classes, often in the sophomore or junior year. The content focused on:

• Biology and reproduction (basic anatomy, fertilization, pregnancy).
• STI prevention, particularly after the rise of HIV/AIDS.
• Teen pregnancy risks and limited discussion on contraception.
• Abstinence-focused messaging, often reflecting parental values.

While controversial at the time, sex education was largely seen as a science-based supplement to parental guidance, rather than a standalone ideological framework.

1990s-2000s: The Public Health Shift

With the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s, national education policies began to emphasize safe sex practices and contraception over abstinence-only education. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood, SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States), and Advocates for Youth became involved in curriculum development, promoting what was termed “comprehensive sex education.”

Sex ed remained mostly a middle and high school subject, but the content expanded to include LGBTQ+ discussions and gender inclusivity.

2010s-Present: The Expansion into Elementary Schools

By the 2010s, sex education in Vermont saw a major shift. The focus moved beyond just biology and disease prevention, with new emphasis on:

• Gender identity discussions in early grades (use of pronouns, “gender fluidity”).
• Redefining biological terms (e.g., “people with uteruses” instead of “women”).
• LGBTQ+ representation in every lesson rather than as a separate topic.
• Sexual orientation introduced at younger ages.
• Less emphasis on abstinence or traditional family structures.

One of the most significant changes was the introduction of sex ed into kindergarten classrooms, where lessons now include gender identity, different types of families, and personal safety discussions.

Who Funds the Shift in Sex Ed Policy?

The expansion of Vermont’s sex education curriculum has been heavily influenced by funding incentives from both federal and state sources, as well as private organizations.

• Federal Funding Shifts:
  • In 2010, the Obama administration ended abstinence-only education grants and replaced them with funding for comprehensive sex ed programs.
  • The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) and Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) have provided millions in grants to states adopting inclusive, comprehensive sex education.
  • These grants have favored LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula and discouraged abstinence-only models.
• State-Level Funding:
  • Vermont receives state health department funding for sex education programs in public schools.
  • The state partners with advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE), Outright Vermont, and GLSEN, for curriculum guidance and teacher training.
• Planned Parenthood’s Role:
  • Planned Parenthood does not just provide reproductive health services—it actively lobbies for sex ed policy changes at the state and national levels.
  • In Vermont, Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund has lobbied for increased funding for sex ed programs that align with its ideological and policy goals.
  • In 2022, Planned Parenthood contributed over $183,000 to support Proposal 5, a constitutional amendment ensuring reproductive autonomy in Vermont.

Critics argue that Planned Parenthood benefits financially from these curriculum changes, as they directly provide services like contraception, STI testing, and abortion referrals to minors without parental consent.

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How Vermont Compares to Other States

Vermont is among the most progressive states in the country when it comes to sex education policies. It follows the lead of states like California, Oregon, and New York, where comprehensive, LGBTQ+ inclusive sex ed begins as early as kindergarten.

By contrast:

• Florida, Texas, and Tennessee have recently restricted early sex education, with laws requiring parental consent before discussing gender identity, LGBTQ+ topics, or sexual orientation in schools.
• Several other states, including South Dakota, Arizona, and Indiana, have passed laws prohibiting activist organizations like Planned Parenthood from influencing school curricula.
• Vermont’s approach aligns with a growing national divide, where some states push for earlier, activist-driven sex education while others move toward increased parental oversight.

While some Vermont parents support the state’s early, inclusive sex education model, others argue that public education should focus on biology and public health, not activism.

What’s Next for Sex Ed in Vermont?

The changes to sex education in Vermont mirror a larger national trend in how these topics are taught. With states taking vastly different approaches, Vermont remains at the forefront of early, identity-based sex education policies.

Moving forward, the debate in Vermont will likely focus on:

1. Parental Rights – Should parents have more control and oversight over what their children are taught?
2. Curriculum Transparency – Should schools be required to disclose curriculum materials before they are taught?
3. Activist Group Involvement – Should outside groups like Planned Parenthood have influence over public school education?

As Vermont continues to adapt its education policies, the question remains: Should sex education focus on biological facts and public health, or should it also include gender identity, activism, and social justice topics?

For now, Vermont’s approach appears to be leaning heavily toward the latter.

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Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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