A new Florida law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, mandates that school districts submit their sex education plans for state approval, and some educators argue this has effectively halted the teaching of the subject altogether.
DeSantis Signs New Restrictions on Sex Education
The existing state law requires schools to teach reproductive health in grades 6 through 12, with a strong emphasis on sexual abstinence as the ideal standard. Districts must promote abstinence outside of marriage and emphasize the benefits of monogamous heterosexual marriage. The law also highlights abstinence as a guaranteed way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and related health issues. However, a year after Broward County Public Schools submitted its sex education curriculum for approval, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) rejected its program. The district was instructed to make changes without receiving any written guidelines, according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel.
Restrictions on Teaching Contraception and Consent
Broward County educators were reportedly told by the FDOE that they could not teach teenagers about contraception, depict human reproductive anatomy, or address issues such as sexual consent and domestic violence. The FDOE’s communication, relayed through a phone call, also included instructions that “pictures of external sexual/reproductive anatomy should not be included in any grade level.”
The restrictions didn’t stop there. Teachers were informed that contraceptives could only be mentioned as a health resource and that any demonstrations, pictures, or activities illustrating their use were prohibited. The memo also specified that different types of sexual activity, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex, could not be discussed in any grade level. Broward County must submit its revised plan by early October to comply with these new standards for the 2024-2025 school year.
Educators Push Back on “Absurd” Changes
Karen Castor Dentel, a member of the Orange County School Board, was vocal in her criticism of the new law, describing the state’s approach as “utterly ridiculous.” Dentel argued that these restrictions deprive students of factual, important information about their bodies. She also pointed out that this focus on abstinence is just one more example of what she sees as the state’s “obsession” with controlling discussions about sex in schools.
Before the law required state approval of sex education plans, local districts were free to teach additional topics, including contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and puberty, as approved by local school boards. These lessons have now been largely removed or restructured under the new guidelines, and several districts have been forced to use state-approved textbooks that emphasize abstinence.
Schools Adjust to State Requirements
In response to the law, Broward County Public Schools stated they will fully comply with the state’s requirements. While concerns have been raised by advisory groups about the removal of certain topics from the curriculum, the district plans to emphasize abstinence in health lessons while adhering to state rules. According to the district’s representative, revisions may continue as the FDOE implements further updates.
This change in sex education aligns with other controversial initiatives from the DeSantis administration, including the “Don’t Say Gay” law and the Stop WOKE Act, both of which place limits on what educators can discuss in Florida classrooms. As the state continues to impose new regulations, educators and school boards are left to navigate the challenges of adhering to laws they often view as restrictive and damaging to students’ education.
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