Policy No. 2125P
All instruction and materials for the district’s sexual
health education program, will meet the following criteria:
·
Medically and scientifically accurate;
·
Age appropriate;
·
Appropriate for students regardless of
gender, race, disability status or sexual orientation;
·
Consistent with the 2005 Guidelines for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention;
·
Include instruction about abstinence; and
·
Include instruction about contraceptives and
other methods of disease prevention.
Definitions:
The district’s program will provide sexual health
education as defined by the Healthy Youth Act.
Sexual health education:
The Healthy Youth Act defines sexual health education
as:
1.
The physiological, psychological and
sociological developmental processes experienced by an individual;
2.
The development of intrapersonal and interpersonal
skills to communicate respectfully and effectively to reduce health risks
and choose healthy behaviors;
3.
Health care and prevention resources;
4.
The development of meaningful relationships
and avoidance of exploitative relationships; and
5.
Understanding of the influences of family,
peers, community and the media throughout life on healthy sexual
relationships.
Medically and scientifically
accurate:
The Healthy Youth Act defines medically and
scientifically accurate as 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 and Disease Prevention:
A publication by the DOH and the Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) that provides the fundamental
framework for establishing a medically and scientifically accurate sexual
health education program for students. A copy of the Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention is located on the DOH and OSPI Web
sites.
Adoption of a Sexual Health Education Program
The district must ensure that all instructional
materials are medically and scientifically accurate. The DOH is available to
provide technical assistance in determining medical and scientific
accuracy. When choosing curriculum the district staff may examine the list
of materials reviewed for medical and scientific accuracy that are located
on the DOH website at www.doh.wa.gov.
In determining curriculum, the district staff may
review the OSPI’s list of commonly used sexual health education curricula
that were reviewed for their alignment with the guidelines. Although the
list is not exhaustive, the list is updated annually and is posted on the
OSPI website at www.k12.wa.us. Staff may also apply the OSPI Sexual Health Education Alignment
tool to curriculum under consideration as a resource in assessing the
curriculum. Ultimately, the district’s sexual health education program will
ensure that in the K-12 life of a child, the sexual health education
program is consistent with the 2005 Guidelines
for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention.
For technical assistance, staff may contact the Health
and Sexuality Education Program supervisor at the OSPI.
Parental/Guardian Notification Process
One month prior to teaching a program in sexual health
education, each school will provide written notice to parents of the
planned instruction.
Parent/Guardian Material Review
Process
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 opportunity for inspection will be
provided at a time and place convenient for parent/guardian participation, including
at least one evening or weekend annually.
Excluding Student from a
Program/Opt-Out
A parent/guardian who wishes to have a student excused
from planned instruction in sexual health education must file a written
request with the board of directors or its designee, at least one week
prior to the planned instruction. The district will make the appropriate
opt-out form available. Excused students shall be provided with appropriate
alternative educational opportunities.
Date: April
27, 2009
Blaine
School District
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