Massachusetts parents erupt in outrage after Burlington schools administer explicit sexual survey to middle schoolers despite some parents opting their children out of participation.
At a Glance
- Burlington Public Schools administered a Youth Risk Behavior Survey containing explicit sexual questions to students as young as 11 years old
- Parents who had opted their children out of the survey discovered it was administered anyway, violating federal law
- Multiple federal complaints have been filed with the Department of Education over violations of the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
- The school district has suspended all student surveys and removed funding for JSI, the organization behind the controversial survey
Parents Shocked by Explicit Survey Content
The Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington, Massachusetts has found itself at the center of controversy after administering a sexually explicit Youth Risk Behavior Survey to students as young as sixth grade. The survey, which is based on CDC guidelines but was modified by a private consultant, contained graphic questions about sexual behaviors including anal sex, oral sex, and the use of sex toys. Parents across the community expressed shock at the content they deemed wholly inappropriate for children as young as 11 years old.
Particularly troubling to many parents was the detailed nature of the questions. The survey asked about students’ pornography consumption and various sexual activities without parental knowledge or proper consent. Adrianne Simeone, mother of an eighth-grade student, voiced her dismay over the situation’s handling.
Parental Rights Violated in Survey Administration
The situation escalated from concerning to potentially illegal when it was discovered that students whose parents had explicitly opted them out were still given the survey. This direct violation of the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) prompted swift legal action. The Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center sent a formal legal letter to the school district and filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of affected families.
Superintendent Eric Conti acknowledged that there were “areas for improvement” in the opt-out process and communication with families. The district issued a statement recognizing these shortcomings, but for many parents, the apology fell far short of addressing their concerns about the fundamental breach of trust and violation of their parental rights.
“We don’t send our kids to school to be indoctrinated. We don’t send our kids to school to have these discussions. You don’t need to open their mind. You need to teach them to read, to write, math, accurate history, accurate science, and you send them home, and we’ll take care of the rest.” David Hanafin.
Similar Concerns in Nearby Groton
Burlington isn’t the only Massachusetts community dealing with survey-related controversy. Parents in Groton have raised similar concerns about a Youth Risk Behavior Survey administered in partnership with Emerson Hospital. The hospital clarified that while they distribute the survey, the questions are based on CDC guidelines and not created by the hospital itself. Groton-Dunstable Regional School District’s Superintendent Laura Chesson attempted to reassure parents that survey answers were anonymous.
One Groton parent, Corey Brock, expressed deep concern about the impact on his daughter, stating, “After reading through the questions, it was clear that my family and more specifically my daughter had been violated.” The district has promised that future surveys will include advance parent notification with questions available for review and a clear opt-out option for families who wish to decline participation.
School District’s Response and Legal Ramifications
Facing mounting pressure from parents and advocacy groups, the Burlington School Committee took several immediate actions. They suspended all student surveys district-wide, removed funding for JSI (the organization that developed the survey), and announced plans to hire an independent consultant to review their survey administration processes. These steps signal recognition of the severity of the situation, though many parents remain skeptical about whether meaningful change will follow.
“Children do not belong to the government; they belong to parents. Parents should be the primary decision makers when it comes to their child’s education. The Department will not tolerate abuse of parents’ rights – or of students who are victims of predatory behavior by adults who are supposed to protect them.” Julie Hartman, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education said.
The controversy has gained national attention, highlighting broader concerns about parental rights in public education. The Massachusetts Family Institute and Burlington parents continue to advocate for accountability, with legal counsel for the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center anticipating more complaints against the school district. As the Department of Education reviews the filed complaints, many parents are calling for stricter adherence to federal laws protecting parental consent in educational settings.
