ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter -- May 2025

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 05/13/2025 10:48 AM PDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Oregon Department of Education - Oregon achieves - together

ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter: May 2025
Colorful hands

ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter 

#SexEdForAll Month graphic: Sex Education Works

May 12, 2025 

Dear Colleagues,

In May, partners across the state and country celebrate Youth Sexual Health Month and Sex Ed for All Month. Governor Kotek’s proclamation reminds us that young people deserve an education that values their agency to pursue healthy relationships, bodies, and minds, and to make decisions that support their goals. This means that sexuality education must provide relevant, complete, and culturally responsive information so that they can live into their aspirations. 

This month can also be an opportunity to use research-informed practices in health instruction–including not using any scare tactics, gender stereotypes, disparaging messages about certain healthcare options, or messages that shame or belittle students. Any instruction that predominantly relies on causing students to be scared, apathetic, or disgusted by health or social outcomes just doesn’t work. Health education only works to improve outcomes when students feel confident in their ability to take action to promote their health and safety. A comprehensive sex ed approach to health supports students to feel confident and equipped to meet the realities of their lives– whether it’s navigating puberty, a new romantic relationship, bullying on the playground, or an unsafe situation.

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo by the Sex Education Collaborative

ODE Updates & Opportunities

OTTI Professional Learning Header

OTTI Professional Development Opportunity: Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Limited spots still open!

The Oregon Teacher Training Institute (OTTI) is offering an in-person professional development course for elementary and middle school (K-6) educators and administrators to deliver comprehensive sexuality education as part of health instruction, focusing on healthy relationships, social and emotional learning, child abuse prevention education, and healthy sexuality throughout the lifespan. The course will take place in Oak Grove, Oregon on May 27, 2025.

The course will introduce participants to the new Health Education Standards and instructional practices for teaching comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education. OTTI workshops are delivered in partnership with ODE, ODHS, OHA, and other local partners. This event is reserved for classroom educators, administrators, and school staff only. Registrants must provide a school district email address.

Register here for the full day in-person professional learning.

Student Opportunity: Applications Open to Participate in ODE’s 2025-26 Rulemaking Process

ODE and the Oregon State Board of Education are looking for incoming high school juniors and seniors to participate in Oregon’s K-12 administrative rulemaking processes as either a Student Member of ODE’s Ongoing Rules Community Advisory (ORCA) or a Student Advisor to the State Board of Education for the 2025-26 school year. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, and ODE aims to select students no later than July 31, 2025. Students will serve from August 2025 through July 2026.

See the full announcement with application information here.

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. 

Research & News for Educators

Resources for Educators

Resources for Adolescent Health Month

Resources for Menstrual Hygiene Day

Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities for Educators

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.

Student Opportunities

My Future My Choice Logo

Apply by June 1: My Future-My Choice Teen Advisory Board

The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) acts as the youth voice of the My Future-My Choice (MFMC) program. TAB members must be high school students during the 2025-2026 school year and are expected to give program feedback on MFMC (a sex education curriculum), advocate for youth sexual health, and take part in leadership development activities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled with priority going to applicants who submit before June 1, 2025.

See additional information and apply here.

Apply by July 31: REV Youth Leadership Program

REV(olution) is a year-long leadership program run by Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon for youth ages 14-18 in the Eugene/Springfield and Rogue Valley areas who are passionate about sexual and reproductive healthcare, advocacy, and peer education. Youth will collaborate with PPSO staff to educate peers, train healthcare professionals, participate in outreach events, and advocate for reproductive justice. Interested applicants should apply by July 31, 2025.

See additional information and apply here.

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!