![Image courtesy Shutterstock.com](https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Large_Clark-County-Today-Inslee-signs-controversial-LGBTQ-school-curriculum-bill-into-law.jpg)
Senate Bill 5462 requires the OSPI to incorporate ‘the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion’ in new or revised learning standards
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
Public schools in Washington state will be required to update curriculum to include LGBTQ histories and perspectives under a new law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday.
Senate Bill 5462 requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to incorporate “the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion” in new or revised learning standards.
“The contributions of gay Washingtonians deserve recognition, and just as importantly, students deserve to see themselves in their schoolwork,” said the bill’s prime sponsor Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, in a same day news release. “That leads to better attendance, better academic achievement and better overall quality of life, ensuring success for all our students.”
Vienna Pham testified in support of the bill during a February public hearing.
The Lake Washington High School student said that, as a Vietnamese American, she understands the importance of inclusivity in education.
“Like many students with minority backgrounds, I have often felt invisible in the classroom due to the lack of representation of my culture,” she said.
Concerned citizen Gabriel Jacobs spoke in opposition to the bill during the same hearing.
“You may not be aware that members of the [Washington State] LGBTQ Commission are advocates for legalizing sex work and this bill requires them to collaborate with OSPI to set histories, perspectives, etc.,” he said. “We should not be writing legislation that mandate that those who advocate for legalized sex work consult with OSPI on kindergarten education criteria.”
The Center Square reached out to the Washington State LGBTQ Commission for comment, but did not receive a reply.
Trish Huddleston testified against the bill at the February hearing. As a member of the Woodland School Board, she said this was another attack on local control.
“There are no educational standards in this bill,” she said. “I would prefer we see those and have a chance to provide feedback before this becomes law.”
She said the state already requires choosing a curriculum that removes bias and includes marginalized communities in classroom materials.
Other school district officials raised concerns about being forced to replace curriculum that is working well for them, when budgets are already strapped.
SB 5462 says that by June 2025, the Washington State School Directors’ Association and OSPI must develop a model policy that require school boards to adopt age-appropriate and instructional materials that recognize the history and contributions of LGBTQ individuals.
The law requires OSPI to post a revision of learning standards on its website by September 2025, and requires schools to amend and conform with the model policies by October 2025.
The signing of SB 5462 comes after the Legislature’s passage of Initiative 2081 this session.
I-2018, known as the “parents’ bill of rights,” requires school materials – textbooks, curriculum, a child’s medical records – to be easily available for parents to review. It also lets parents opt their children out of assignments related to students’ sexual experiences or the family’s religious or political beliefs.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Opinion: OIC tells consumers not to pay for ‘insurance’ you won’t likely benefit from: Does that include WA Cares?Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center believes you should consider yourself warned by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner about WA Cares and its maybe-only benefit.
- Opinion: Same road, different speed limit?Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl addresses a question about speed limit signs going into and leaving town.
- Progress being made at GRO Parade of Homes siteThe 2024 GRO Parade of Homes, presented by the Building Industry Association of Clark County, is a little more than a month away, and builders are busy completing the luxury homes before the big event, scheduled for Sept. 6 through 22 in Felida.
- Has trust in the media tanked over coverage of President Biden’s decline?After President Joe Biden’s calamitous debate performance against former President Donald Trump, and days after Biden’s decision Sunday not to seek reelection, there are still many questions about how the news media covered Biden’s mental and physical decline.
- Opinion: Hiding the growing cost of the Interstate Bridge replacementJoe Cortright of the City Observatory addresses the rising cost of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project.
- Letter: ‘This election I am NOT voting for Greg Cheney’Clark County resident Wynn Grcich shares her thoughts on Rep. Greg Cheney and the issue of fluoridation in area drinking water.
- Major gas line leak closes major arterial in Clark CountyFirefighters from Clark County Fire District 6 responded Thursday (July 25) afternoon to the scene of a major natural gas leak on NE 99th Street, directly in front of Columbia River High School.