OLYMPIA—Legislation to ensure the stories of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians are taught in schools was signed into law Monday, March 18, by Governor Jay Inslee.
Senate Bill 5462, sponsored by Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), requires school districts to adopt curriculum that covers inclusive, age-appropriate materials that tell the histories, contributions and perspectives of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians.
“The contributions of gay Washingtonians deserve recognition, and just as importantly, students deserve to see themselves in their schoolwork. That leads to better attendance, better academic achievement and better overall quality of life, ensuring success for all our students,” Liias said. “I’m so pleased to see this critical bill make it across the finish line and signed into law.”
According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum benefits all students, regardless of identity, and helps teach them about diverse experiences.
“This bill will ensure educators across Washington state can include the stories, history, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community knowing they are supported by their state government,” said Justin Raines, a high school history teacher and Montesano Education Association co-president.
The bill, that goes into effect on June 6:
- Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission (Commission), to review and update by December 1, 2024, relevant state learning standards at all grade levels to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
- Requires the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), with the assistance of the OSPI, to review and update by June 1, 2025, a model policy and procedure that requires school district boards of directors (school boards) to adopt inclusive curricula and select diverse, equitable, inclusive, and age-appropriate instructional materials that include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
- Requires school boards, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to adopt curricula and instructional materials that are consistent with the WSSDA model policy and procedure on inclusive curricula.
- Requires, subject to funding provisions, each educational service district to designate a regional inclusive curricula coordinator and a regional youth advisory council for inclusive curricula and equity.
- Requires, subject to funding provisions, the OSPI, in collaboration with specified entities, to create an open educational resource database for developing inclusive curricula that includes resources about the histories, contributions, and perspectives of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
SOURCE: Office of Senator Marko Liias with bill analysis by the legislature provided by the Lynnwood Times
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
