"Risk behavior" survey at Massachusetts schools asked students graphic sex questions, some parents outraged
Parents in Burlington, Massachusetts are outraged after children as young as seventh grade were asked graphic questions about sex in a behavioral risk survey.
It was standing room only inside the Burlington School Committee meeting Tuesday night, where angry parents demanded consequences after they say they were blindsided and betrayed by their school.
"I am trusting you with the two most precious things I have," one parent said. "It is criminal for you to corrupt them."
Burlington parents were emotional, and didn't mince words, directing their disappointment and disgust at school leaders.
"You are not allowed to shove it down our throats!" another parent said.
What survey was given to students?
Their anger was aimed at the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) given to students earlier this month. It was developed by the CDC along with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and has been used by school districts across the state for years. The YRBS includes dozens of questions aimed at evaluating the level of risky behavior among middle and high school-aged children, with the results intended to guide curriculum and services offered to students.
The questions cover topics from nutrition and sleep habits to drug use, social media use and sexual experience. There are two versions of the survey – one for middle school students and another for high school students. Both include graphic questions about sexual behavior.
Survey included graphic questions about sex
This year students, including those at Burlington High School and Marshall Simonds Middle School, were given a new version of the survey, and school leaders said they missed some changes. Parents were given the option to opt their students out of the survey, with links to the actual survey provided in advance. However, some opted-out students were given the questionnaire anyways.
"It made me feel so sick to my stomach for all of those kids," said Adrianne Simeone. She was one of several parents who chose for her student to opt out of the survey. Her middle schooler was still given the survey.
"It asked specific questions about have you had sexual intercourse. What is that? Have you used sex toys? This is a question going to children as young as 11," Simeone said.
Federal complaints against Burlington schools
The school district is now facing two federal complaints, accused of violating the law that allows parents to excuse their students from surveys.
"If a hockey coach, of a seventh grade kid asked them any questions along these lines, they'd be in jail," said parent David Hanafin.
Other parents defended the need for surveys and research, arguing they protect kids and put safeguards in place.
"This is precisely how we know, and have known for many years, that it is critically important to make sure LGBTQ kids feel safe in school because this is specifically a place where they have not been safe," said parent Sheri Markle.
Burlington schools response to survey complaints
Students who spoke at the meeting said the questions about drugs, drinking, and sex have kids talking.
"These questions have started to make people at school talk about drugs more, and rarely in a negative way. They're getting normalized because of you," a student said at the meeting.
The superintendent sent a message home to parents, acknowledging, "There were areas for improvement, particularly in the opt-out process and delivery of the proctor script."
The district is no longer contracting with this public health consultant. No surveys will be given until a new policy is written and approved by the school committee.
