Per Senate Bill 5395, which requires that all Washington public schools provide comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE) instruction that meets state standards, the HSD must select a new CSHE curriculum for use across the district, which will be phased in over the next two years. The new curriculum must be:
- medically and scientifically accurate;
- evidence-informed and age appropriate;
- aligned with health and learning standards; and
- inclusive of all students regardless of their protected class status.
The bill defines comprehensive sexual health education as recurring instruction in human development and reproduction that is age-appropriate and inclusive of all students. There is no sexual health content required for students in grades K–3. For these younger grades, the curriculum content is focused on social-emotional learning. As has always been the case, parents and guardians have the right to opt their children out of sexual health education instruction at any time.
More information
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Q&A