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Sexual Health Education

SPS Sexual Health Education

“Sexual health education is a critical component of comprehensive health education that helps students develop knowledge and skills needed to become successful learners and healthy and productive adults.” WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

We believe an important part of students’ health education includes instruction about growth and development and sexual health.

We teach age-appropriate and inclusive lessons that help students:  

  • Learn about their growing bodies
  • Understand the importance of healthy relationships
  • Build the skills to prevent pregnancy, STDs, and sexual violence
  • Talk with the trusted adults in their lives about these topics

Washington State Law on Comprehensive Sexual Health Education

The WA Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) Law (RCW 28A.300.475) passed by the Legislature and Washington voters in 2020 requires all public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education. The curriculum, instruction, and materials must be medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive of all students.

The law includes an emphasis on social emotional learning, sexual abuse prevention, affirmative consent education, and bystander training.

Parents/guardians may preview growth and development and sexual health education materials. They may opt their student out of specific topics by contacting the classroom teacher.

Lessons Taught in Seattle Public Schools

Grades K – 3 Do Not Receive Sexual Health Education

Schools Teach Sexual Abuse Prevention and Social Emotional Learning Lessons in Grades K – 3

In accordance with state law, grades K – 3, we use lessons from the Child Protection Unit created by The Committee for Children. These lessons help students recognize, report, and refuse unsafe situations. We invite families to explore sample lessons, videos, and posters.

Elementary and K-8 schools teach Social Emotional Learning in grades PreK – 5.

Grades 4 – High School

In grades 4 and 5, we use the WA OSPI approved and board-adopted FLASH curriculum and supplemental materials created by Seattle Public Schools in partnership with Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center of UW Medicine. Middle school students receive sexual health education (FLASH and supplemental materials) in science classes in grades, 6, 7, and 8.

In grades 4 and 5, we use the WA OSPI approved and board-adopted FLASH curriculum and supplemental materials created by Seattle Public Schools in partnership with Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center of UW Medicine. Middle school students receive sexual health education (FLASH and supplemental materials) in science classes in grades, 6, 7, and 8.

In alignment with School Board Action, health education classes required for graduation shall be offered at 9th grade. Students receive a unit of sexual health education within the semester-long health class, and a unit in 10th grade Biology classes, to meet the requirements of the WA Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Law. These units cover a range of health content reflected in the Washington State Health Education Standards. 

Parent/Guardian Preview

Parents and guardians are invited to watch the following video overview of Sexual Health Education in Seattle Public Schools.

Videos

Lessons

We invite parents and guardians to preview lesson materials by grade level posted below. Schools may choose to include additional district approved supplemental materials, such as speakers or videos, in order to reinforce the concepts contained in the lessons below.

4th Grade
  1. Introduction from 4/5/6 FLASH
  2. Family from 4/5/6 FLASH
  3. Friendship from 4/5/6 FLASH
  4. Boundaries
  5. Consent
  6. Rejection
  7. Reproductive System 1 from 4/5/6 FLASH
  8. Puberty 1 from 4/5/6 FLASH
    Teachers may show this video: What Happens During Puberty
5th Grade
  1. Introduction from 4/5/6 FLASH
  2. Self-Esteem from 4/5/6 FLASH
  3. Decision Making from 4/5/6 FLASH
  4. Being a Good Listener
  5. Consent
  6. Reporting Sexual Abuse from 4/5/6 FLASH
  7. Reproductive System 2 from 4/5/6 FLASH
  8. Puberty 2 from 4/5/6 FLASH
  9. Pregnancy from 4/5/6 FLASH
  10. Introduction to HIV from 4/5/6 FLASH
6th Grade
  1. Introduction
  2. Puberty and Hygiene
  3. Reproductive System
  4. HIV / AIDS
  5. Consent and Communication
  6. Rules of Dating
7th Grade
  1. Introduction
  2. Healthy Relationships
  3. Ask, Listen, Respect – Consent
  4. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  6. Birth Control Methods
8th Grade
  1. Introduction
  2. Reproductive System & Pregnancy
  3. Decision Making and Abstinence
  4. Preventing STDs
  5. Condoms and other Birth Control Methods
  6. Affirmative Consent
High School: 9th Grade Health Course
  • Introduction
  • Reproductive System
  • Pregnancy
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  • Gender Stereotypes
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Coercion and Consent
  • Online Safety
  • Abstinence
  • Birth Control Methods
  • HIV and Other STDs
  • Condoms
  • Testing for HIV and Other STDs
  • Communication and Decision Making
  • Improving School Health

FLASH Curriculum Public Preview Site

High School: 10th Grade Science Course

Lesson 1: Introduction and Group Agreements (Pre-Assessment)

Lesson 2: Sexual Anatomy and Development

Lesson 3: Pregnancy and STI Prevention

Lesson 4: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Lesson 5: Healthy Relationships and Communication

Lesson 6: Keeping Myself and Others Safe

Lesson 7: Technology in Relationships

Lesson 8: Consent, Sexual Assault Prevention, and Bystander Intervention (Post-Assessment)

Opt Out Form

After reviewing materials, parents/guardians may opt their student out of lessons by submitting an opt out form to their child’s teacher.

Elementary Growth And Development Opt Out Form
Middle School Sexual Health Education Opt Out Form
High School Sexual Health Education Opt Out Form

Talking to Your Kids about Sexual Health

Video  
Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Health Live Event Recording from May 25, 2021.

This 30-minute video covers simple tips for talking about topics like gender, puberty, and consent in ways that are developmentally appropriate and true to your family’s values.

Below are tips for caregivers. 

You are your child’s first and most important teacher

During childhood, your words and actions have taught your children about bodies, relationships and emotions. You have a powerful influence on their understanding of themselves and the basic concepts of sexual health. Topics like development or sexual behavior are important too, but if they feel scary to discuss it’s OK to go slow. It can be helpful to consider what messages you already send about sexual health topics and what messages you’d like to send, then practice what you’d like to say! Think through topics like body image, gender roles, dating, consent, etc.

See talks as opportunities

Research shows that positive communication between parents/guardians and young people can lead to healthy decision making. You can set a positive tone by acknowledging the feelings you and your child have. Showing empathy for each other’s feelings can make talks a comfortable chance to bond.
Young people often send the message to their parents/guardians that they don’t want to talk about sexual health. That’s OK too. Keep trying and keep showing respect and a sense of humor when discussing these topics.

Suggested Questions for Caregivers and Children to Ask about Growing Up

Questions for Kids to Ask Caregivers

  • What do you look for in a friend?
  • Did you have crushes when you were my age?
  • What changes do you remember at puberty?
  • Did your body grow and change at the same time as your friends? How did that make you feel?
  • Who did you talk to friendship, crushes, or puberty when you were my age? How did those conversations feel?
  • What do you think is special about you? What do you like best about your body?
  • What I think is special about you is…

Questions for Caregivers to Ask Kids

  • Who are some of your friends and what do you like about being around them?
  • What things would help you feel more comfortable when talking with me about growing up?
  • What other adults would you feel comfortable talking with if I wasn’t available?
  • What is exciting about growing up?
  • What, if anything is scary about growing up?
  • What do you think is special about you? What do you like best about your body?
  • What I think is special about you is…
Educate with facts and share your values

Start with factual, honest, short answers to your child’s questions. Young people are curious, just because they ask about a topic doesn’t mean they’re experiencing the issue themselves. Listen with respect and share your thoughts and values! Remember that you’re not obligated to share private information, extend that right to your child by respecting their privacy when possible too.

Short talks often

Take advantage of conversation starters such as books, movies, or news to have brief conversations about a variety of sexual health topics. Talking while driving, cooking, or walking can make talking easier. You might even try writing notes, texts, or emails to each other.

It’s OK To Not Know

You’re not expected to be an expert. Admit when you don’t know and find the information together!

Other Adults

Identify other adults your young person can talk to if they don’t feel comfortable coming to you. Make a short list together of people who share your family’s values.