 ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter
March 22, 2023
Dearest colleagues,
Teaching comprehensive, inclusive, not fear- or shame-based sexuality education is a cornerstone of upholding the values behind Women’s History Month. Sexuality education helps build communities that are more equitable for all genders, more based on consent and mutuality, and more connected to each other. Why? Because when students reflect on their own values and envision the types of safe and equitable relationships they want in their lives, they forge their own path and identities. Alongside Oregon’s Health Education Standards, educators teach students how to analyze what influences perceived gender roles, norms, and stereotypes, and analyze how those things show up in our relationships, communities, and society. In fact, research has shown that one of the most “promising approaches” to prevent bullying and violence among school-aged youth is “shifting norms around gender roles”.
There are so many ways to uplift and weave Women’s History Month into health & sexuality education classes. Whether it is by examining how to address the recent increase in sexual violence against girls in school or learning from stories of women leaders, like Loretta Ross, who advocates for women’s rights and reproductive health, students will learn so much this month– and all year long– that will help them build a safer and more equitable world for girls, women, and people of all genders
Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR
Section photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
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ODE Sexuality Education Updates
Sex Ed Open Learning Spotlight
Looking to update your lessons on human reproduction to ensure they are aligned to grade level standards and inclusive of all individuals and family structures? Portland public health educators teamed up with Portland Public Schools, Advocates for Youth, GLSEN, and others to write lessons for 5th, 7th and high schoolers on all the ways humans reproduce and form family. Lessons, an educator's guide, illustrations, and other resources are available on the Sex Ed Open Learning Collection on the Oregon Open Learning Hub, and at RoadsToFamily.com.
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Oregon Department of Education Updates
K-12 Social Emotional Learning Survey
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has been working to implement House Bill 2166 (section 4, page 6), which requires the State Board of Education to adopt a SEL Framework and K-12 SEL Standards. The SEL Advisory Group has been developing the SEL Standards and Framework and wants to hear from Oregonians across the state on the current draft it will share with the State Board of Education on May 18, 2023. We need your feedback at this pivotal point in the process.
Please take the Oregon's K-12 Social Emotional Learning Survey during the open window of Friday, March 17th - Sunday, April 2nd.
Sex Ed News & Resources for Educators
ODE is committed to supporting school districts with implementing Oregon Human Sexuality Education (OAR 581-022-2050). Please see below for related news and resources for K-12 educators.
News & Research for Educators
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Kisses, Crushes and Marriage Proposals: Wait, Aren't You Only 6 Years Old?, the New York Times, February 11, 2023
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Four myths about peer pressure, Washington Post, February 28, 2023
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Teens and Pornography, a research study by Common Sense Media, 2023.
Resources for Educators
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New release by The Family and Youth Services Bureau at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
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Native Stand 2.0 is a free evidence-based, inter-tribal comprehensive sexual health curriculum for high school aged teens that draws on cultural teachings and values.
Resources for Endometriosis Awareness Month
Resources for International Transgender Day of Visibility
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities for Educator
Unless hosted or facilitated by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), these training opportunities have not been endorsed by ODE, but are being shared as relevant opportunities for education professionals to consider.
Job & Grant Opportunities
Job Opportunity
ODE’s Sexuality Education team is hiring for a .5 FTE Sexuality Education Analyst (limited duration until December 2024, with extension possible). This position will work on:
- in-person and online synchronous training opportunities for educators to support districts in their implementation of Sexuality Health Education standards.
- student-facing instructional materials related to sexuality education standards and requirements.
- developing communication resources supporting the implementation of sexuality education.
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Grant Opportunity
OHA has released a Youth Advisory Council Grant. This one year grant is geared towards schools, school districts and community based organizations and ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
The three award opportunities:
- Food, Housing and Income Support Grant
- Cultural and Community Engagement Grant
- Culturally Responsive and Expansive Mental Health Support Grant
The YAC encourages the following schools and community organizations to apply: Those serving communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 including but not limited to youth of color, tribal communities, communities with lower median family income, and rural and frontier communities; those that are planning to use funds for youth-led projects.
For more information, please explore the application on the website and reach out to lev.schneidman@oha.oregon.gov with any questions.
Questions? Connections?
Please reach out to us at ode.sexed@ode.oregon.gov.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Want to stay connected with sexuality education at the Oregon Department of Education? Visit our website or subscribe to the ODE Sexuality Education ListServ today!
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