Trump Administration Orders Curriculum Changes in Massachusetts Schools: Fall River an Exception
The Trump administration's Health and Human Services (HHS) department has directed Massachusetts public schools to remove references to transgender people and what they call "gender ideology" from their sex education curricula. Schools that fail to comply risk losing federal funding through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). However, the Fall River Public School District is not affected by this directive.
The HHS Directive and PREP
On Sept. 2, state health officials in Massachusetts received letters from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding the removal of all content related to transgender people from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) within 60 days. HHS stated this action reflects their commitment to protecting children from attempts to "indoctrinate them with delusional ideology," according to an Aug. 26 statement.
PREP, a federally funded program, provides comprehensive sexual health education and life skills to middle and high school students in Massachusetts communities with high teen birth rates. These communities include Andover, Chelsea, Chicopee, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Pittsfield, Revere, Salem, Springfield, and Stockbridge.
The Fall River Public School District is not part of the PREP program. Superintendent Tracy Curley stated that the district uses health curricula not designed by PREP.
Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance
According to reports, if the Massachusetts Department of Public Health does not comply with the directive by Oct. 27, the federal government could terminate up to $2.36 million in funding for the state's PREP educational materials. A spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey said her office is reviewing the directive.
Reactions and Perspectives
Advocates with the Human Rights Campaign argue that the directive is an attempt to “erase government recognition of transgender people.” GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, considers “gender ideology” an inaccurate term, describing gender identity as a political construct or opinion that can be debated. GLAAD states that such claims diminish the need for legal protections and social acceptance for transgender and nonbinary people.
“By inaccurately claiming gender identity is an ‘ideology,’ opponents of transgender people and their equality attempt to diminish the real need for legal protections to be treated equally and for social acceptance essential for trans and nonbinary people’s safety," - GLAAD
Specific Content Targeted by HHS
HHS has stated that information relating to transgender people, including gender identity and pronouns, falls "outside the scope of [PREP's] authorizing statute.” Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary of HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, cited examples of content they considered problematic, including a pamphlet called “I Think I Might Be Transgender, Advocates for Youth,” and an ACLU guide to supporting transgender students in K-12 schools.
Gradison also urged the state to eliminate instructional materials regarding sharing pronouns and pointed to "problematic language" in gender-related definitions, including those for “gender identity” and “gender expression.”
“Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas. The Trump Administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left," said Gradison in a press release.
Lauren Powell, the communications director of the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the letters, stating that sex education programs are crucial for young people's health. GLAAD noted that major medical associations support health care for transgender people and youth.
The Broader Impact
At least 2.8 million Americans, including 724,000 children ages 13 to 17, identify as transgender, according to an analysis. In addition to Massachusetts, 45 other states and territories were notified of the directive, indicating a nationwide impact.
The states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The territories notified include Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C.
