Instruction and materials for the District’s comprehensive sexual health education program must be:

• Medically and scientifically accurate;
• Age appropriate;
• Inclusive of all students, regardless of their protected class status;
• Consistent with the Health Education K-12 Learning Standards adopted by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI); and
• Consistent with the Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention.

For grades K-3, instruction will be about social-emotional learning, provided at least once, and will be consistent with social-emotional standards and benchmarks adopted by OSPI.

Comprehensive sexual health education will be provided at least once in grades 4-5, at least twice in grades 6-8, at least twice in grades 9-12, and will include information about:

• The physiological, psychological, and sociological developmental processes experienced by an individual;
• Abstinence and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; however, abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of other materials or instruction on contraceptives and disease prevention;
• Health care and prevention resources;
• The development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to communicate, respectfully and effectively, to reduce health risks and choose healthy behaviors and relationships based on mutual respect and affection, and free from violence, coercion, and intimidation;
• The development of meaningful relationships and avoidance of exploitative relationships;
• Understanding the influences of family, peers, community and the media throughout life on healthy sexual relationships;
• Affirmative consent;
• Recognizing and responding safely and effectively when violence or a risk of violence is or may be present, with strategies that include bystander training; and
• Prevention of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), as provided under RCW 28A.230.070.

Definitions

The District’s program will provide comprehensive sexual health education as defined by state law.

• “Comprehensive sexual health education” is defined under RCW 28A.300.475 to mean recurring instruction in human development and reproduction that is:
  • Medically and scientifically accurate;
  • Age-appropriate;
  • Inclusive of all students, regardless of their protected class status; and
  • Uses language and strategies that recognize all members of protected classes under Chapter 49.60 RCW.
• “Comprehensive sexual health education for students in grades K-3” meansinstruction in social-emotional learning that is consistent with learning standards and benchmarks adopted by OSPI under RCW 28A.300.478.
• “Affirmative consent” means a conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity as a requirement before sexual activity.
• “Medically and scientifically accurate” is defined under RCW 28A.300.475 to mean information that is verified or supported by research in compliance with scientific methods, is published in peer review journals, where appropriate, and is recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the field of sexual health including but not limited to, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• “2005 Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention” means the publication prepared by DOH and OSPI to provide the fundamental framework for establishing a medically and scientifically accurate comprehensive sexual health education program for students. The Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention are available on the DOH and OSPI websites.

Adoption of a Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Program

The District will involve parents/guardians and District community groups in the planning, development, evaluation, and revision of any instruction in comprehensive sexual health education offered as a part of the school program.

The District must ensure that all instructional materials are medically and scientifically accurate. Technical assistance is available from DOH and OSPI, and a list of materials reviewed for medical and scientific accuracy and alignment with guidelines, standards, and other state requirements is maintained on the OSPI website.

When recommending curriculum for adoption, District staff should review the OSPI list of reviewed curricula. If the District chooses or develops a curriculum not included in OSPI’s list, the District will review the curriculum using the comprehensive sexual health curriculum analysis tools provided by OSPI.

Ultimately, the District’s comprehensive sexual health education program must ensure that in the K-12 life of a child, the comprehensive sexual health education program is consistent with the 2005 Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention, the Health Education K-12 Learning Standards, and RCW 28A.300.475.

Parental/Guardian Notification Process

At least one month prior to teaching a program in sexual health education, written notice must be provided to parents/guardians of the planned instruction.

Parent/Guardian Material Review Process

At least one month prior to providing instruction in sexual health education, the District will notify parents that all instructional materials are available to parents/guardians for inspection. The notice must include, or provide a means for electronic access to, all course materials, by grade, that will be used at the school during the instruction. The opportunity for inspection will be provided online and/or at a time and place convenient for parent/guardian participation such as evenings or weekends.

Excluding Student from a Program/Opt-Out

Board Policy No. 2125 delegates receipt of and response to parent/guardian opt-out requests to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee. Under this Superintendent Procedure, the Superintendent designates the school principal or a designee of the principal to receive and respond to opt-out requests.

A parent/guardian who wishes to have a student excused from planned instruction in comprehensive sexual health education must file a written request with the principal or principal’s designee, at least five school days prior to the planned instruction. The District will make the appropriate opt-out form available and will grant all such requests. Excused students will be provided with appropriate alternative educational opportunities.

Identification of Curricula Used

The District will annually identify to OSPI, using OSPI’s reporting tool, any curricula used to provide comprehensive sexual health education and how the provided classroom instruction aligns with requirements of RCW 28A.300.475.

Policy Cross References:

• 2015 – Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
• 2125 – Sexual Health Education
• 3208 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
• 3210 – Nondiscrimination, Acts of Hostility, and Defamation

Revisions:

• May 8, 2025

Adopted:

• December 14, 2011