Health Education FAQ

The purpose of Health Education instruction is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make decisions that positively impact their health throughout their lifetime, including treating others with respect, reducing incidences of bullying and suicide, increasing health-enhancing behaviors and decreasing risky behaviors. 

Learning standards, established and required by the state, define what all students should know and be able to accomplish by the end of each grade level or course.  Washington State Learning Standards (WSLSs) are worded broadly to allow flexibility with district and classroom implementation.

In Tacoma Public Schools (TPS), we align our work with our strategic plan to measure and support the Whole Child. Ensuring students meet academic standards directly impacts and support the benchmarks under our Academic Excellence strategic goal, which states that "all students will perform at or above grade level". 

OSPI adopted five Physical Education Standards and eight Health Education Standards. Students are required to have access to learning experiences related to these standards. The same 13 standards span grades K-12.

K-12 Health Education Standards

1. Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
2. Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information and products and services to enhance health.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
5. Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
8. Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.

Learn more about Health and PE learning standards on the OPSI website.

K-12 Physical Education Standards

1. Students will demonstrate competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
2. Students will apply knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.
3. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
4. Students will exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
5. Students will recognize the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

Yes. The Washington state learning standards listed above are the required elements of instruction. Other content in the standards document (e.g. grade-level outcomes, core ideas, topics) is not required. This means we are required to deliver instruction which addresses the broad learning standards listed above, but we have flexibility in how we teach it.

Yes. OSPI provided a 30-day public comment period for the public. Notice of the public comment period was given through an official OSPI Bulletin, email distribution lists, and sent directly to the Washington Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Educational Service Districts (ESDs), and posted on the OSPI Facebook page and website.

Yes and no. Students in Washington must complete a half-credit of health education to graduate. However, each district establishes policies and procedures related to opting students out of specific areas of instruction. TPS provides opportunities for families to preview the Health Curriculum and decide if there are any pieces they would like to opt their child(ren) out of.

Yes. Schools are required by law to teach four health topics:
 

• HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) prevention education is required per the AIDS Omnibus Act (RCW 28A.230.070).
• CPR and AED instruction (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillators) are required per HB 1556, passed in 2013 (RCW 28A.230.179).
• Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is required to be taught per the Common School Provisions (RCW 28A.230.020).
• Mental health and suicide prevention (RCW 28A.230.095)

In 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed the Healthy Youth Act, which placed certain requirements on public schools that offer sex education programs. In 2020, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5395, which updates the Healthy Youth Act by requiring public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education to all students by the 2022–23 school year, with requirements phased in starting in 2020. Senate Bill 5395 went into effect on December 3, 2020 after being upheld by Washington voters in the 2020 General Election. All current requirements can be found in Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.300.475.

No. Districts around the state are grappling with questions related to gender identity, same-sex marriage, bullying related to sexual orientation and other related topics. If provided, age-appropriate instruction about these topics, with a focus on empathy and understanding, serves to significantly reduce stigma in the learning environment and thereby supports each student's ability to learn and feel safe at school. The National PTA recently adopted a resolution that supports this kind of instruction.