Sexual Health Education

Senate Bill 5395 requires all public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE) to all students. Instruction must be consistent with Health Education K-12 Learning Standards, which provide a framework for comprehensive instruction and the provisions of the law.

Any parent or legal guardian may review the sexual health education curriculum offered in their child's school via written request with:

Parents or legal guardians who wish to have their child excused from any planned instruction in sexual health education may do so. The family opt-out form is at the right.

the school district board of directors or its designee
the principal of the school one's child attends
the principal's designee
link to request curriculum review is at the right

Sexual Health Curriculum Review Process

Curriculum Review Request Link (Grades 6-9)

Parent/ Guardian Opt-Out Forms

Grades K-12 Sexual Health Overview

Grades K-3

Schools must provide social-emotional learning (SEL) to students in grades K-3, consistent with SEL Standards and Benchmarks. SEL provides skills to do things like cope with feelings, set goals, and get along with others. No sexuality content or curriculum will be required, although districts may choose to offer additional instruction in alignment with K-12 Learning Standards for Health Education.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Grades 4-5

Comprehensive sexual health education must begin no later than 5th grade and align with Health Education K–12 Learning Standards. Instruction is required at least once in grades K–5, with HIV/STD prevention taught annually starting in grade 5.

Required topics include:

HIV/STD prevention (annual requirement starting in grade 5)
Human growth and development
Affirmative consent and personal boundaries
Bystander intervention (responding to bullying or harassment)
Healthy friendships and family relationships
Avoiding exploitative relationships

HEALTH EDUCATION K-12 LEARNING STANDARDS

RCW 28A.300.475

Grade 5 FLASH Curriculum

Introduction and Friendships

Family

Self Esteem

Decision Making

Boundaries and Consent

Refusal and Rejection Skills

Puberty

Reproduction and Pregnancy

HIV / AIDS

Grades 6-8

Middle School Sexual Health Education

Schools must provide comprehensive sexual health education at least twice in grades 6–8, building on earlier instruction and aligned with state learning standards. HIV/STD prevention must begin by 5th grade and continue every year through 12th grade.

Required topics in grades 6–8 include:

HIV/STD prevention (annual requirement)
Human growth and development
Healthy behaviors and risk reduction (abstinence, condom use, contraceptives)
Affirmative consent and personal boundaries
Bystander intervention (responding to bullying, harassment, or sexual violence)
Healthy friendships, family, and dating relationships
Influence of family, peers, community, and media on sexual health
Avoiding exploitative relationships and understanding consequences of sexual offenses involving minors

Instruction should occur in at least two different grades and be scaffolded to meet students’ developmental needs.

HEALTH EDUCATION K-12 LEARNING STANDARDS

RCW 28A.300.475

Grades 9-12

High School Sexual Health Education

Schools must provide comprehensive sexual health education at least twice in grades 9–12, ideally as units in two different grades. Instruction should be age-appropriate, build on earlier learning, and align with the Health Education K–12 Learning Standards.

Requirements:

HIV/STD prevention (annually, grades 5–12)
Affirmative consent (understanding and respecting personal boundaries)
Human growth and development refresher
Healthy behaviors and risk reduction (abstinence, condoms, contraceptives)
Accessing valid health care and prevention resources
Bystander intervention (safely responding to bullying, harassment, or sexual violence)
Healthy friendships, family, and dating relationships
Influence of family, peers, community, and media on sexual health
Avoiding exploitative relationships and understanding consequences of sexual offenses involving minors

HEALTH EDUCATION K-12 LEARNING STANDARDS

RCW 28A.300.475

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Middle School Grades 7-8

High School Family Health