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VERMONT


Vermont Sexuality Education Law and Policy


The Vermont Education Code includes sexuality education as part of its comprehensive health program. This program must be taught in elementary and secondary schools. The comprehensive health program has 10 parts, four of which are related to sexuality:


  • Body structure and function, including the physical, psychosocial and psychological basis of human development, sexuality and reproduction;
  • Disease, such as HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as well as other communicable diseases, and the prevention of disease;
  • Family health and mental health, including instruction which promotes the development of responsible personal behavior involving decision-making about sexual activity including abstinence; skills which strengthen existing family ties involving communication, cooperation, and interaction between parents and students; and instruction to aid in the establishment of strong family life in the future, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the community; and
  • Human growth and development, including understanding the physical, emotional, and social elements of individual development and interpersonal relationships including instruction in parenting methods and styles. This shall include information regarding the possible outcomes of premature sexual activity, contraceptives, adolescent pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, and abortion.

Vermont's Sample Comprehensive HIV Policy for Schools: Pre-K-12, developed by the Department of Education, includes suggestions for HIV/AIDS-prevention education. Local school districts may establish a “comprehensive health education community advisory council” to assist the school board in developing and deciding upon health curricula. In addition, Vermont statute requires that “the commissioner [of education] with the approval of the state board shall establish an advisory council on comprehensive health education….The council shall assist the department of education in planning a program of comprehensive health education in the public schools.”


Parents or guardians may remove their children from a sexuality education class if the content is in conflict with their religious beliefs. This is referred to as an “opt-out” policy.


See Vermont Statute, Title 16, Part 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 7, Sections 131 through 135 and the Sample Comprehensive HIV Policy for Schools: Pre-K-12.