Parents Complain About Survey Sent to Fifth Graders

A survey that asked fifth-grade students in Vermont about their sexual history, preference, and gender identity has drawn complaints from parents, the AP reports. The survey sent to Windsor Elementary School students was conducted by WISE, a nonprofit domestic violence prevention and advocacy group, WPTZ-TV reported. A notice was sent to parents allowing them to opt their children out of the survey, but parent Vanessa Beach says she never received it. While she doesn't oppose topics on gender identity and sexuality being discussed, Beach says she feels the survey questions were inappropriate for her daughter's age group.

"My daughter is 10. So are all the other kids who took this," Beach says. "A sexual partner at 10 years old would be called sexual abuse." A WISE representative says the survey questions were created with University of New Hampshire researchers with whom the group is sharing the collected data. Beach says she told the school and WISE about her concerns. School administrators and WISE officials say they are working to address parents' complaints. Students are told that they are not required to take the test and can choose not to, a WISE official says. Beach says she appreciates other work WISE does to raise awareness about domestic violence.

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