The manipulation of language is reaching unsuspected heights that are almost impossible to believe. Founders Memorial School, part of the Essex Westford (Vermont) school district, announced that it will eliminate the words "male" or "boy" and "female" or "girl" from teaching so that students will say "person who produces sperm" and "person who produces eggs" respectively, in lessons on sexual reproduction.
Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach for the nonprofit organization Parents Defending Education, shared the letter sent by Sara Jablonski, the school's principal, to parents. In it, Jablonski explained the reason for her decision:
In an effort to align our curriculum with our equity policy, teachers will be using gender inclusive language throughout this unit. With any differences, we strive to use "person-first" language as best practice. You will see examples of this below.
We will using the following language with students:
- Person who produces sperm in place of boy, male and assigned male at birth.
- Person who produces eggs in place of girl, female and assigned female at birth.
New language rules just dropped for 5th graders in Vermont and they don't include the words boy and girl or male and female. pic.twitter.com/Bjent7kh6x
— Erika Sanzi (@esanzi) April 25, 2023
Jablonski confirmed, "We are working on editing worksheets and handouts to reflect these changes but you may see some worksheets that have not changed yet." She also invited parents to come in, upon request, and "see the materials that teachers will be using" in a folder that she will leave in the school's main office.
A measure in line with the state's progressive education policy
"It is time for our science/health unit about the human body focused on puberty and the human reproductive systems. This unit will take place during the last few months of school. We will focus on the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty and briefly introduce the basic structure and function of human reproductive systems. Students will be participating in whole group discussions and have private reflection time," Jablonski said in the letter.
This measure is in line with the state's educational equity policies. The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) states that schools "shall not discriminate in education on the basis of race or sex." In addition, she "is determined to eliminate the inequity that persists between Vermont’s affluent white students, and student groups that have historically demonstrated achievement gaps within our state’s school systems."
