All common schools shall give instruction in reading, handwriting, orthography, written and mental arithmetic, geography, the history of the United States, English grammar, physiology and hygiene with special reference to the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the human system, science with special reference to the environment, and such other studies as may be prescribed by rule of the superintendent of public instruction. All teachers shall stress the importance of the cultivation of manners, the fundamental principles of honesty, honor, industry and economy, the minimum requisites for good health including the beneficial effect of physical exercise and methods to prevent exposure to and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, and the worth of kindness to all living creatures and the land. The prevention of child abuse may be offered as part of the curriculum in the common schools.

(1) The life-threatening dangers of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its prevention shall be taught in the public schools of this state. AIDS prevention education shall be limited to the discussion of the life-threatening dangers of the disease, its spread, and prevention. Students shall receive such education at least once each school year beginning no later than the fifth grade.

(2) Each district board of directors shall adopt an AIDS prevention education program which is developed in consultation with teachers, administrators, parents, and other community members including, but not limited to, persons from medical, public health, and mental health organizations and agencies so long as the curricula and materials developed for use in the AIDS education program either (a) are the model curricula and resources under subsection (3) of this section, or (b) are developed by the school district and approved for medical accuracy by the office on AIDS established in RCW 70.24.250. If a district elects to use curricula developed by the school district, the district shall submit to the office on AIDS a copy of its curricula and an affidavit of medical accuracy stating that the material in the district-developed curricula has been compared to the model curricula for medical accuracy and that in the opinion of the district the district-developed materials are medically accurate. Upon submission of the affidavit and curricula, the district may use these materials until the approval procedure to be conducted by the office of AIDS has been completed.

(1) By September 1, 2008, every public school that offers sexual health education must assure that sexual health education is medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, appropriate for students regardless of gender, race, disability status, or sexual orientation, and includes information about abstinence and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. All sexual health information, instruction, and materials must be medically and scientifically accurate. Abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of other materials and instruction on contraceptives and disease prevention. A school may choose to use separate, outside speakers or prepared curriculum to teach different content areas or units within the comprehensive sexual health program as long as all speakers, curriculum, and materials used are in compliance with this section. Sexual health education must be consistent with the January 2005 guidelines for sexual health information and disease prevention developed by the department of health and the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(2) As used in chapter 265, Laws of 2007, “medically and scientifically accurate” means 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, and the federal centers for disease control and prevention.

All material directed to children in grades kindergarten through twelve and providing education regarding any sexually transmitted disease that is written, published, distributed, or used by any public entity, and all such information paid for, in whole or in part, with any public moneys shall give emphasis to the importance of sexual abstinence outside lawful marriage and avoidance of substance abuse in controlling disease

(1)Local option. The decision as to whether or not a program about sexual health education is to be introduced into the common schools is a matter for determination at the district level by the local school board, the duly elected representatives of the people of the community.

(2)Definition(s).

(a)Sexual health education for the purpose of this regulation is consistent with the 2005 Guidelines for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention . It includes:

• (i)The physiological, psychological, and sociological developmental processes experienced by an individual;

• (ii)The development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to communicate, respectfully and effectively, to reduce health risks and choose healthy behaviors;

• (iii)Health care and prevention resources;

• (iv)The development of meaningful relationships and avoidance of exploitative relationships; and

• (v)Understanding of the influences of family, peers, community and the media throughout life on healthy sexual relationships.

(b)Medically and scientifically accurate means information that is verified or supported by research in compliance with scientific methods, is published in peer reviewed 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 and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(3)By September 1, 2008, every public school that offers sexual health education must assure the sexual health education is medically and scientifically accurate, age appropriate, and inclusive of students regardless of gender, race, disability status, or sexual orientation.

(4)Development of instruction in sexual health education. School districts shall involve parents and school district community groups in the planning, development, evaluation, and revision of any instruction in sexual health education offered as a part of the school program.

(5)All sexual health education programs must include an emphasis on abstinence as the only one hundred percent effective means of preventing unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. All sexual health education programs must also provide medically and scientifically accurate information on all other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy, HIV a nd other sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of instruction on contraception and disease prevention.

(6)Schools may choose to use separate, outside speakers or prepared curriculum to teach different content areas or units within the comprehensive sexual health program. All such curricula, presentations and materia