SB 5395 Comprehensive Sexual Health Education

Truthfulness: Mostly false.
Analysis:

• While school districts choose materials reviewed by OSPI, they do have flexibility. Each local school district decides which curricula they want to use out of a list of materials reviewed by OSPI and the state Department of Health.
• The state does not approve or develop curriculum, according to the OSPI website. OSPI encourages districts to conduct their own review to ensure materials fit their community.
• School districts may also choose or develop any other curriculum as long as it complies with the requirements of the legislation.
• Parents can review all materials before they are taught and may opt their children out of instruction.

• intrapersonal and interpersonal skill development to communicate, respectfully and effective, to reduce health risks and choose healthy behaviors and relationships based on mutual respect and affection, and free from violence, coercion, and intimidation (K-12);
• Mandatory social-emotional learning (K-3);
• Human growth and development (Gr 5-8);
• Health care and prevention resources (Gr 9-12);
• Abstinence and sexually transmitted diseases (starting in Grade 5), and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy (Gr 6-12);
• Meaningful relationship development and avoidance of exploitative relationships;
• Understanding the influences of family, peers, community and the media through life on healthy sexual relationships (Gr 6-12);
• Affirmative consent and recognizing and responding safely and effectively when violence or a risk of violence is or may be present, with strategies that include bystander training (Gr 5-12 in age-appropriate ways).

Affirmative consent is an approach to giving and receiving consent for any activity that includes clear, voluntary, enthusiastic permission. It is not just the absence of "no." In earlier grades it might focus on hugs or horseplay, and in older grades on hugs, exchanging photos, or romantic or sexual contact.

Bystander training teaches students how to safely intervene when they see bullying, sexual harassment, or unwanted sexual activity.

No.
• The new legislation maintains OSPl's role in reviewing curricula for consistency with state requirements and making a list available for districts as a resource.
• The authority to approve curricula for use in schools currently rests and will continue to rest with school districts.
• Districts will need to provide the name of the curriculum they are using and describe how it meets state requirements, but OSPI does not have the authority to approve or deny districts' choices.

No.
School districts that don't already have a curriculum in place will work with staff, parents and the community to select or create a curriculum that best meets the needs of their students and communities. 

YES.
• This has always been an option and will continue to be.
• Parents and guardians will be notified 30 days before planned instruction on what materials will be used and allowed to review the curriculum at any time.

Truthfulness: False.
Analysis:

• Sexual health education does not begin until the fourth or fifth grades, depending on the district.
• Grades K-3 receive social-emotional learning, which teaches skills to cope with feelings, set goals and get along with others.
• There is no sexuality content required for kindergarten through third grade, according to the OSPI website.
• Resource Link

Truthfulness: Mostly false.
Analysis:

• While "graphic" is subjective, the new sex education rules require all schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education that is medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive of all students.
• What is taught in each grade is different, and each school district can choose what curriculum they want to use out of an OSPI-reviewed list.

Truthfulness: False.
Analysis:

• Sexual health education is only taught a few times over the course of a student's career: once to students in fourth and fifth grades, twice to students in sixth through eighth grades, and twice to students in ninth through twelfth grades.
• According to the bill, no sexual health education is required to "be integrated into curriculum, materials, or instruction in unrelated subject matters or courses."