2007 OSPI Sexual Health Guidelines
Talking Points
Washington State can do better!
Poorly Written Guidelines
ü Compared to Environmental Guidelines the GSH are very poorly researched and written.
ü There is no bibliography.
ü There is no list of contributors.
ü No examples of acceptable materials mentioned.
ü The foundational research is scientifically corrupted. The guidelines are based on the evaluation of Dr. Douglas Kirby who violated scientific protocol by evaluating his own programs. There aren’t any other studies that validate his findings.
No Local Control
ü The GSH remove curriculum decisions from the school administrators and the parents of the district.
ü There is no process of appeal or evaluation for schools or parents.
ü There is no way to address the differing needs of rural versus urban schools.
Contradicts Other State Laws
ü The GSH are in direct violation of the AIDS Omnibus Act because they do not mention marriage nor do they define abstinence.
ü The GSH are in violation of the legal age for sexual consent. The age of consent is 16 yet these K-12 guidelines promote contraception without guidance for age appropriateness.
Medical Accuracy Advocated
ü The GSH advocate medical accuracy yet has no provision for updates and no timely manner for schools to submit materials annually for review.
ü To correctly review materials will require a huge budget.
ü The definition of medical accuracy omits many scientifically reputable sources.
Lifestyle Issues Slanted
ü All forms of gender issues are required but heterosexuality is not mentioned.
ü Marriage and relationship skills to build successful marriages are missing.
ü Washington State abstinence educators were excluded by design from attending the meetings.