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Washington law specifies that when sex education is taught, it must include information about abstinence as well as contraception – in fact, the law states that “abstinence may not be taught at the exclusion of other materials and instruction on contraceptives and disease prevention.”
Sex Education Policy
Washington does not require sex education for students. But if sex ed is taught, Washington requires that it be comprehensive, providing information about both abstinence and contraception. Washington also requires that students receive HIV prevention education. See the statutes governing sex education: Revised Code of Washington Sections 28A.230.020 , 28A.230.070 , and 392-410-140
Health Outcomes
Washington has lower AIDS, teen pregnancy, and STI rates than the national average.
Sexual Health Stats at a Glance
|
Teen Pregnancy Rate* |
Teen Birth Rate* |
Annual rate of AIDS Diagnoses (per 100,000 people) |
STI Rate+ |
% of high school students who did not use a condom at last sex |
| Washington |
59 |
31.9 |
6 |
43 |
Not reported |
| National |
70 |
39.1 |
11.2 |
100.8 |
39 |
*Per 1000 young women ages 15-19
+Because of concern over recent changes in Chlamydia reporting and relative low incidence of syphilis, we used the state's gonorrhea rate as a stand-in for sexually transmitted infection rates.
Advocates' Partner Organizations
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