 ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter
March 19, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
March is a time to celebrate Women’s History Month and uplift the many ways women and girls have shaped our communities, movements, and classrooms. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how K-12 comprehensive sexuality education supports gender equity by teaching skills related to respecting differences, bodily autonomy, and confronting gender stereotypes: key components of the Oregon Health Education Standards. It’s also a good time to connect to Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, by integrating gender equity into violence‑ and abuse‑prevention instruction, an essential part of reducing gender‑based bullying and violence. According to the 2024 Oregon Student Health Survey, cisgender girls (16%), gender expansive youth (21%), and transgender students (30%) are much more likely to experience sexual abuse and violence than cisgender boys (6%). Instruction that helps students prevent and identify biases, examine societal messages about gender, and practice inclusive and respectful communication is essential to reducing these forms of harm and strengthening protective factors within school communities.
These monthly observances are opportunities to reinforce our collective commitment to creating inclusive, equitable, and safe learning environments where every student can thrive.
Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR. Section illustration by freepik.
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ODE Updates & Opportunities
Student Voice Survey on Cell Phones and Learning
The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council, invites students in grades 6-12 to participate in a 15 minute survey to share feedback on the current cell phone and Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy at school. Student voice matters! Participation is confidential and will contribute to improving school district policies. The survey will be open for feedback between March 16 - April 8, 2026.
Survey resources linked below include slides, talking points, and communication templates to support consistent, student-centered messaging in Spanish and English. For more info:
OHA Releases 2025-2029 State Health Improvement Plan
The 2025-2029 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), published March 10, reflects the core priorities of Oregon’s public health system and aligns with OHA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. The SHIP and Strategic Plan both focus on eliminating health inequities by 2030.
OHA’s plan names K-12 comprehensive health education as a critical lever for health promotion and disease prevention. Schools, local public health agencies (LPHAs), Tribes in Oregon, community-based organizations, state agencies, Head Start programs, and education partners all work together to improve health outcomes for all Oregonians.
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Pregnant and Parenting Student Support Programs Community of Practice
Join ODE for the first in a renewed series of Pregnant and Parenting Student Programs (PPSP) Community of Practice meetings. These 60 minute virtual meetings are held periodically to connect with other Pregnant and Parenting Student Programs across the state to discuss program challenges and opportunities, share experiences and current realities with ODE staff to improve statewide support offerings, and receive communication from ODE on latest updates. If there are topics you would like to discuss or learn about, please email ode.CivilRights@ode.oregon.gov.
When: April 14th from 03:30-4:30pm
Where: Virtual*
*Please note that this event is for current school educators and staff. A school email address is required for registration.
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
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Promising Approaches to Comprehensive Sex Education: Evidence From Three Decades of Research, Journal of Adolescent Health, January 2026.
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When Sexting Goes Wrong: The Extent of Nonconsensual Sharing and Sextortion Among U.S. Teens, Journal of Adolescent Health, April 2026.
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The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2023-24 Data Brief, CDC, December 2025.
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Supreme Court blocks California law against schools outing transgender students to parents, PBS News, March 2026.
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More 12th grade boys than girls want to get married someday, Pew Research Center, November 2025
Resources for Educators
Resources for Women's History Month
Resources for Development Disabilities 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.
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April 8-10, 8:00am-2:30pm daily, 3-Day Certificate Training: Become a Sexuality Educator and Trainer, for educators working with students with development disabilities, Elevatus Training.
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Asynchronous, Introduction to Puberty Education, Puberty the Wonder Years.
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March 31 & April 2, 7:00am-10:00am daily, Finally Enough Love: Building Transgender and Non-Binary Affirming Schools, Advocates for Youth.
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March 25, 12:00-1:00pm, What, Wait! You Want Me to Talk About Sexuality, free online workshop by Elevatus training.
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April 1, 5:00am, Periods in Play: Sports and Menstruation by Columbia University. Recording will be available.
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April 10, 11:00am, Rooted in Rights: Reproductive Justice in SBHCs, Cardea.
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May 12-14, 4:00-5:30pm daily, Sex Ed Educator Training, Advocates for Youth.
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June 16- 18, 2026 Prevention Summit and Call for Proposals, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Salem, Oregon.
Grants, Job Openings, and Other Opportunities
Survey: Pride in Numbers and Community Art Project
Pride in Numbers (PiN) is the largest-yet research project by and for Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people across the state of Oregon. The information and stories gathered will be given back to the community to build programs, services, mutual aid networks, and policies.
The research goes from now until March 31st, and includes an online survey, a community art project, virtual and in-person storytelling sessions, and 1:1 interviews. The research will cover a wide spread of topics, from health care, housing, safety, education, and economic well-being, to family, identity, and contributions Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people make to communities.
For legal and logistical reasons, all parts of the research project except for the community art project are for ages 18+. PiN is especially encouraging Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth across Oregon to participate via the community art project, including options for confidentiality. PiN is especially encouraging Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ adults (ages 18+) across Oregon to take the online survey.
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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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