Sexual Health Education

Washington State Law on Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
Lessons Taught in Seattle Public Schools
Opt Out Form
Talking to Your Kids about Sexual Health
Questions for Caregivers and Children to Ask about Growing Up

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 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 10^th 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.

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.

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.

Seattle Public Schools