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K-12 Human Health, Personal Protection, and Sexual Health Education

K-12 Human Health, Personal Protection, and Sexual Health Education

START HERE: Human Development and Sex Ed Rights and Video Orientation for Families 

La Grande School District (LGSD) recognizes that students and families may have significant and important questions regarding how our district addresses human development and sexual health. This resource has been developed to help families understand current state laws, state standards, local board policy, etc. on this topic. Additionally, it provides links to our K-12 curriculum maps and adopted curriculum resources to aid students and families. As a district, we will continue to meet state requirements in an age-appropriate, safe, respectful, and inclusive way that honors all students and their families.

  • Requirements in this area have historically been created either legislatively or by an adoption process by the Oregon State School Board and Oregon Department of Education.

  • Sexuality Education standards are included in the mandatory Health Education Standards. Health Education is a core subject in Oregon, and its instruction is required by every public school in Oregon. La Grande School District is required to assure Oregon Department of Education that we are meeting these expectations in our annual Division 22 Report. Failing to meet these requirements may result in corrective action and support from Oregon Department of Education until LGSD is in full compliance with state expectations.

  • Local school boards are required to follow state law as they govern the school district. LGSD board policy IGAI – Human Sexuality, AIDS/HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Health Education is our local expression of state laws and mandates in this area. Additionally, board policy provides parents and community members ongoing access to adopted materials (Policy IFD) and curriculum outlines (Policy IFE).

    LGSD Curriculum Adoption Committees meet to review state-approved curriculum options as we meet state laws and standards per board policy. The current sexual health education curriculum was adopted in the 2024/25 school year. LGSD's adopted Health Education materials are listed below. Teachers are not required to produce or post all educational tools for community review that are used in the classroom. However, teachers are available through email and by appointment to visit with students and parents on this topic to address their questions and concerns during the school year.

  • According to Oregon Law, parents can opt their children out of any or all sexuality education components. However, parents cannot opt their children out of the entire health course or program without written documentation of a religious or disability-related reason. In those cases, parents would also have to demonstrate to the school district how they would be complying with the Health Education Standards with alternative instruction. Parents can access the LGSD Sexual Health Opt Out Notification by clicking on the linked document.

  • The La Grande School Board is required to review and approve the district K-12 sex education program and recommendations from the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) every two years. In March - April 2025, the board reviewed and approved the following:

    Human Development Curriculum Resources K-12:

    • Great Body Shop: K-5 Adopted Health Curriculum
    • Safer Smarter Kids: K-12 Counseling Curriculum (Personal Protection)
    • Second Steps: K-5 Counseling Curriculum
    • Proctor and Gamble Always Changing: Grade 4-5 Sexual Education Curriculum
    • Comprehensive Health Skills for Middle School
    • (Textbook): MS Adopted Health Curriculum
    • Live Well HS (Textbook and Sex Ed guide): HS Adopted Health Curriculum
       

     Committee Recommendations

    • Video information posted to website for parents rather than parent night to minimize political pressure on teachers, staff, and district in this area and conflict between community members.
    • Adopting updated Sex Ed Opt Outs at K-5, MS, and HS (See attached)
    • Use of current adopted curriculum resources and materials for instruction.
    • Same instruction provided to all students and use of specific anatomy to promote well-being and student safety.
    • Strengthen instruction on “consent” and impacts/risks to students when “consent” is not provided
    • Instructional focus on ODE-developed essential questions for standards mentioned above as they are open-ended, inclusive, and leave space for discussion to be age-appropriate based on the maturity of the students. (See attached document for full list)
    • Maintain separate environments for male /female students with gender expansive students able to join group they identify with and/or receive instruction individually per ODE Gender Expansive Student Guidance (January 2023)
    • Continued use of counselors, classroom teachers, and PE/Health teachers to jointly provide information.
    • Additional support/mentorship for new teacher/counselors from experienced staff when they teach this material
       

    Additional Information

    • Oregon Department of Education updated Health Standards in 2023
    • We have adjusted school schedules/practices to become compliant with 2023 law regarding PE minutes. This is an Oregon Division 22 requirement. Increase signage, instruction, and adjustments in Synergy for instructional time at elementary schools. (See attached resources)

    The board did not adopt a new sex education curriculum K-5. Elementary instruction in this area will continue to focus on taking care of our bodies, personal protection/safety, and overall health though Great Body Shop, Safer Smarter Kids, and Always Changing.

    If you have questions, please reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, or principal for more information. As a district, we will continue to work with parents to meet state requirements in an age-appropriate, safe, respectful, and inclusive way that honors all students and their families.