On June 10th we sent an email to the Battle Ground School Board (BGSB) Directors regarding the State of Washington’s directive to begin addressing “self identity” in kindergarten in the 2017 school year. In this letter: Email_BGSD_Directors_June102016_Self-Identity_KG we tell them we will be attending their meeting on June 13th to ask the questions posed (in our letter). We also provided a copy of the document from Washington State that defines what needs to be taught at each grade level: WA_State_HPE-Standards_2016
On Monday June 13th at 2:27pm we received an email from the President of the BGSB which contained the following:
From: Monty Anderson (President of the BGSB): (email sent at 2:27pm June 13, 2016)
Attached is a copy of an email that went out to all superintendents in the state.
Our curriculum (meaning Battle Ground) has not changed and the districts Teaching and Learning Department is accessing the standards to identify if there is any need for our district to change our instructional process.
From: Bill Keim Sent: Wednesday, June 8, 2016 4:04 PM To: WASA Superintendents Cc: Execs ; ‘Randy Dorn (randy.dorn@k12.wa.us)’ ; ‘Ken Kanikeberg (ken.kanikeberg@k12.wa.us)’ ; ‘gil.mendoza@k12.wa.us‘ ; Kathe Taylor (kathe.taylor@k12.wa.us)
Subject: Health and PE Standards
Dear Superintendents,
The recent release by OSPI of their revised Health and Physical Education Standards has created quite a stir in some communities. It would probably be more accurate to say that the inclusion of gender identity within those standards has caused concern. As with all learning standards developed by OSPI, the new ones for Health & PE were collaboratively developed by educators and other stakeholders with expertise in the subject area. Given the high rates of bullying and social-emotional issues among students related to gender identity, it makes sense that the committee addressed that topic as part of these standards.
As with most state curriculum standards, districts are free to implement them in a manner that makes most sense within their community. In a statement released by Communications Manager, Nathan Olson, OSPI reiterated that understanding with these standards:
Only three topics are required to be taught: HIV prevention, and instructions on performing CPR and using automated external defibrillators. No other topic is required to be taught. Each district determines what its community wants to be taught – not the state.
As you consider how best to address the topic of gender identity in your district, I encourage you to consider the students whose lives are impacted by those issues. Whether or not you incorporate the suggested standards in your district’s health curriculum, I am confident that you will be sensitive to your students’ unique needs.
Bill
Dr. Bill Keim
Executive Director | WASA | 825 Fifth Avenue SE, Olympia 98501
At the meeting we asked the following questions and had the following interactions:
Q#1: This change will not be implemented during the coming school year – is that correct?
Response: The President directed the question to the Superintendent (Mr. Hottowe) who said that his staff will be reviewing the direction from the state and plans on providing the school board information for their consideration this coming year.
Q#2: Does the school board believe the subject of “self identify” has a place in kindergarten curriculum?
Response: No member answered. I asked them if they needed more time to consider their answer. The Superintendent jumped in and told the board it was not appropriate for them to answer at this time. He said that the district staffs report could provide information that might affect the boards views on the subject. He reiterated that they should not respond. At that stage I looked at him (the Superintendent) and said that I believe that the question is a fundamental philosophical one that needs to be answered.
Open Questions:
A) If a change in a districts curriculum (relating to self identity specifically) changes will the public be notified and asked for input?
B) How much lead time for action will there be?
C) Will there be an “Opt-Out” process and if so what will it be?
Summary:
1) Each school district apparently can choose whether to alter their curriculum on the self-identity topic as well as the timing
2) There is no requirement that either the State or local School Districts notify parents of any change to their existing curriculum – so be diligent and ask your local school board the fundamental question: “Does this school board believe that the subject of “self identity” has a place in kindergarten curriculum?” Demand an answer and then share what you learn with us.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.