Sex Education in Florida

Sex Education in Florida: What’s Left, What’s Changed, and What You Can Do

Sex education has long been a contested topic in Florida classrooms. But in recent years, what was once basic health instruction has been stripped down, delayed, or blocked entirely. For many students—especially LGBTQ+ youth—this shift has left them without the information they need to navigate relationships, consent, or their own bodies.

These changes didn’t happen by accident. They are the result of state-level laws and pressure that restrict what schools can teach, who can say it, and when.

What the Law Says

Under HB 1069, passed in 2023, schools are prohibited from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K–8 and must follow “state-approved standards” in grades 9–12. The law also expands parental opt-out rights, requires that all instructional materials be posted online, and opens the door to administrative discipline for teachers who stray from approved content.

These rules are now codified in Florida Statutes § 1006.40 and § 1003.42, and they’ve had a chilling effect across the state. Some districts have removed sex education from classrooms altogether, while others have delayed instruction until the very end of the school year—if they offer it at all.

What’s Happening in Schools

In many schools, sex ed now focuses narrowly on reproduction and abstinence. Lessons about consent, contraception, healthy communication, or LGBTQ+ inclusion have disappeared. Some teachers report being told not to answer student questions if the topic involves gender or sexual orientation.

This has left students confused and under-informed. And in some counties, no sex education is being taught at all.

But there are exceptions.

Broward County: A Case Study in Resistance

In May 2025, after months of back-and-forth with the state, Broward County Public Schools received approval to teach sex education in the final week of the school year. The district’s original curriculum was rejected by the Florida Department of Education. Only after requesting to adopt a state-approved version from another district was permission granted.

The last-minute approval allowed Broward students to receive sex education before summer break—but only narrowly, and only after significant pressure. The situation highlights how restrictive laws are being used to delay or deny instruction, even when districts try to comply.

It also shows that organized, persistent efforts can still lead to limited wins—though they often come late and with strings attached.

What Students, Families, and Educators Can Do

If you are a student and you feel like you’re not being taught what you need to know, speak up. Ask what curriculum is being used. Find a trusted adult to talk to. You have a right to understand your body and your health.

Parents can review materials, opt out, or opt in. But they can also demand more from school districts. If your school is failing to provide basic health education, raise the issue publicly—especially at school board meetings or through local coalitions.

Educators are in a difficult position, but you still have the power to advocate for clarity and push back on disinformation. Know what your district has approved. Work with colleagues to defend what is allowed under law, and find ways to keep students informed through whatever channels remain open.

Why This Matters

When schools erase sex education, students do not stop needing it. They just stop getting it from trusted, evidence-based sources. That gap can lead to harm, confusion, and preventable health risks.

Florida’s restrictions are part of a broader campaign to control public education through fear and censorship. But students still have questions. Families still want answers. And teachers still care.

PRISM is here to help ensure that all young people have access to honest, inclusive information—no matter what the legislature does next.