In Highline, we teach comprehensive sexual health education in alignment with state law and district policy. FLASH (Family Life and Sexual Health) is our curriculum that meets state requirements for sexual health education, which is taught in grades 4-12. Families may opt out of any or all sexual health lessons. Read on for more details.
FLASH Curriculum
FLASH is age-appropriate, teaching content and skills that are developmentally appropriate across grade levels. FLASH was developed in the 1980s and has been updated over time to be medically and factually up to date.
FLASH is designed to support young people in making healthy choices, including:
- Abstaining from sex
- Using protection when they do have sex
- Seeking health care when they need it
- Communicating effectively with their families
- Respecting others' decisions not to have sex
One goal of the FLASH curriculum is to improve communication with families about relationships and sexual health. This includes optional family homework assignments that encourage students to have short, focused conversations with family members to learn about the values and expectations of the important adults in their lives.
Lessons by Grade Level
Grades K-3
No sexual health content is taught in grades K-3. Instead, we focus instruction on life skills to help students understand their feelings, set goals, solve problems and get along with others.
Grades 4-5
In grades 4-5, students learn about self-esteem, decision-making, friendship, gender roles, consent, bystander skills, reporting sexual abuse, the reproductive system, puberty, pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Review lesson plans taught in these grade levels on the King County website.
Grades 6-8
In grades 6-8, students learn about the reproductive system, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, dating, consent, preventing STDs and HIV/AIDS, condoms, and birth control methods. Review lesson plans taught in these grade levels on the King County website.
Grades 9-12
In grades 9-12, students learn about the reproductive system, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender stereotypes, healthy relationships, coercion and consent, online safety, preventing sexual violence, abstinence, birth control methods, condoms, preventing HIV and STDs, student for HIV and other STDs, communication, and decision making. Review lesson plans taught in these grade levels on the King County website.
Opt-Out
State law requires us to give all families at least a 30-day notice before comprehensive sexual health lessons are taught. Families may opt out of any or all sexual health lessons. To opt out, please complete the waiver form linked below and return it to your child's teacher.
Additional Resources
Below are additional resources to learn more.
- FLASH curriculum and waiver forms: highlineschools.org/FLASH
- King County Public Health Website: kingcounty.gov/health/flash
- Washington State Requirements for Sexual Health Education
- RCW 28A.300.475 - Comprehensive sexual health education
- Policy 2125 - Sexual Health Education
- Policy 2126 - HIV/AIDS Prevention Education
- March 25, 2014 Sexual Health Education Night Slide Deck: English & Spanish