In Vermont, 16 V.S.A. 131 (Comprehensive Health Education) includes Sexual Health Education. The Agency of Education (AOE) is responsible for helping to increase the awareness of sexual health-related information and services that are available to promote student wellness and increase academic success. Sexual Health education should address a variety of health-related issues including but not limited to healthy relationships, consent, LGBTQ education, HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) education, and sexual violence prevention.
Vermont Sexual Health and Education Program
The Agency of Education concluded a five-year grant award called “Promoting Adolescent Health Through School-Based HIV/STD Prevention” from 2013-2018. The AOE worked with Supervisory Unions and School Districts throughout Vermont to assist them in improving sexual health and education for middle and high school students. A one-page data summary is found below.
Although funding for this effort has ended, the AOE continues to partner with the Department of Health in supporting the sexual health of all Vermont students. For support, please contact:
- Health Services - Kaitlyn Kodzis
- Health Education - Ian Burfoot-Rochford at (802) 828-6553
Condom Availability Program
As of July 1, 2021, 16 V.S.A § 132 states:
“In order to prevent or reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, each school district shall make condoms available to all students in its secondary schools, free of charge. School district administrative teams, in consultations with school district nursing staff, shall determine the best manner in which to make condoms available to students. At a minimum, condoms shall be placed in locations that are safe and readily accessible to students, including the school nurse’s office.”
The Condom Availability Programs: Recommendations for Supervisory Unions/Districts and Schools support the implementation of Condom Availability Programs in secondary schools. The purpose of this document is to provide helpful information for Supervisory Unions/Supervisory Districts (SUs/SDs) and schools regarding 16 V.S.A. § 132. The Agency of Education, in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Health and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE), has collected background information, identified steps for SUs/SDs and schools to implement condom availability in their schools, and created a template for schools to use when developing condom availability procedures.
Resources
Comprehensive Health Web Pages
- Healthy and Safe Schools focuses on creating healthy, safe, and supportive school learning environments using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC), School Health Profiles and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- Health Education focuses on the implementation of comprehensive Health Education programs defined by Vermont law (16 V.S.A. § 131), the Education Quality Standards, and State Board adopted National Health Education Standards.
- Health Services focuses on school health services that play a vital role in health outcomes for children.
- Substance Abuse Prevention includes School-Based Alcohol and Drug Prevention recommendations and resources for substance abuse prevention programs. Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Tobacco Grant information can also be found on this web page.
Vermont Resources
- Best Practices for Schools Regarding Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students
- Condom Availability Programs: Recommendations for Supervisory Unions/Districts and Schools
- Essential Topics in Sexual Health Education: A resource for teaching sexual health education that identifies high priority topics and best practices for teaching these topics.
- Full Spectrum: Educators' Guide to Implementing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed
- Health Education
- HIV Model Policy
- Joint Memo from AOE and VDH on Comprehensive Sexual Health Education and Condom Availability Programs
- Joint Resource Guide from AOE and VDH: Sexual Health Education
- Memo - Implementing a Comprehensive Health Education: Law and Regulation
- Outright Vermont: Education and Outreach
- Planned Parenthood of Northern New England: Population Health and Education
- Vermont Department of Health: Adolescent Sexual Health
- Vermont Portrait of a Graduate through Health Education
National Resources
- National Sex Education Standards
- Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education
- Sample Curriculum” Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3R’s): A K-12 Sexuality Education Curriculum
- Sexual Health Professional Development Resources
- SHAPE America Position Statement: Sex Education is a Critical Component of School Health Education
- Supporting Intersex Students: A Resource for Students, Families, and Educators
- Webinar: Building a Curriculum Framework for Sustainable Sexual Health Education