May 21, 2024 

Dear Colleagues,

In May, states across the country observe Oregon Youth Sexual Health Month and Sex Education for All Month. Since 2019, Sex Ed for All Month serves as a reminder that young people need and deserve the information, resources, and safe classroom spaces that comprehensive sexuality education instruction can provide. Students from across Oregon share how important this is as they navigate healthy, safe, and connected lives, rooted in their own identities, values, and beliefs. 

Oregon’s new Health & Sexuality Education Standards guide educators with the age-appropriate, medically accurate, not fear- or shame- based, and culturally relevant concepts and skills that young people need about growing up, sexuality, and relationships. This approach has been shown to positively impact young people’s health, safety, and, even, academic achievement. Yet, according to OHA’s Student Health Survey, only about half of 11th grade respondents reported receiving this comprehensive information in the last year. Sex Ed for All Month is an opportunity to fill this gap.

This month’s newsletter includes opportunities to become involved in several ODE statewide initiatives and resources to strengthen health and sexuality education in local classrooms.

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo by Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is currently seeking applicants for its LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Advisory Group. This group advises ODE on education matters affecting LGBTQ2SIA+ students and families, and its purpose is to address systemic inequities experienced by LGBTQ2SIA+ students through focused investments and community partnerships that align with the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan. 

Apply now through Friday June 14, 2024 at 5:00pm or learn more by visiting bit.ly/LGBTQ2SIA-advisory.

ODE is accepting applications for the 2024 Health Education Instructional Materials Evaluation Committee. Individuals on this committee will be responsible for evaluating and recommending health education instructional materials for adoption by the Oregon State Board of Education.

Please consider applying and/or sharing this application with teachers, curriculum specialists, or other experienced professionals with expertise in health education for grades K-12. Those selected to participate will receive professional development and an honorarium for their work.

The application is open through May 28, 2024.

For more information, please contact the Instructional Materials Coordinator at ode.instructionalmaterials@ode.oregon.gov.

My Future-My Choice is looking for Oregon teachers interested in participating in a paid 8th grade curriculum study. Participating teachers will submit electronic lesson feedback and participate in an interview with an evaluator. If you know of any teachers who may be interested in participating in this study, please reach out to leah.m.haas@odhs.oregon.gov.

The Oregon State Board of Education and the Oregon Department of Education encourage incoming high school seniors to apply for a one-year appointment as either a Student Advisor to the Board or a Student Rule Advisor. These appointments begin August 2024 and end July 2025. To qualify, students must be current high school juniors (seniors during the 2024-25 school year) with strong leadership qualities and the ability to deliberate policy issues.