Letter: Learn about SB 5395 before voting on Ref. 90
Published 3:30 pm Friday, October 2, 2020
Editor,
We will be voting on Referendum 90 in November. A referendum is the public’s way of indicating their collective opinion about a proposed bill which, in this case, is Senate Bill 5395, passed by the legislature in 2020.
SB 5395 will require all schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education by the 2022-23 school year. CSHE is defined in the bill as: Recurring instruction in human development and reproduction that is medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive of all students.
The only required content is:
• In grades K-3, instruction must be in social emotional learning — learning skills to do things like manage feelings, set goals and get along with others.
There is no sexuality content required for students in grades K-3.
• In grades 4-12, instruction must include information about the physiological, psychological and sociological developmental process experienced by an individual; development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills 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; health care and prevention resources; abstinence and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; the development of meaningful relationships and avoidance of exploitative relationships; understanding the influences of family, peers, community and the media throughout life on healthy sexual relationships; 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.
Schools may use curricula and other instructional materials that have been reviewed by OSPI and the state Department of Health for consistency with these provisions or may choose to develop and review materials themselves.
Curriculum, instruction and materials must be medically and scientifically accurate and consistent with the provisions outlined in the bill.
School districts would be in charge of conducting their own reviews and instruction. OSPI provides tools for districts to use when conducting their own reviews. OSPI does not approve or develop curriculum.
I’m not suggesting how you should vote on Referendum 90, which will help the state Legislature know what the majority of the population wishes. I simply want to give you more reliable information about this bill.
If truth be known, the several school districts I have worked with are already teaching about healthy relationships, abstinence, etc. as this bill details.
Exercise your collective people-power and vote.
Judy Kaplan
Freeland
