Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake Oswego board adopts K–12 health curriculum after community review
Summary
The Lake Oswego School District board voted to adopt a recommended K–12 health curriculum after a month-long public review; board discussion included opt-out logistics and how schools will handle students who do not participate in specific lessons.
The Lake Oswego School District Board of Directors voted to adopt a new K–12 health curriculum after a month of public review and feedback.
Lakisha Washington, director of curriculum and instruction, presented the committee recommendations and community engagement results. The district recommended elementary students use the ‘‘Great Body Shop’’ program, middle-school grades 6–7 use ‘‘Goodheart-Willcox Comprehensive Health Skills,’’ eighth grade and high school use Human Kinetics’ ‘‘Live Well’’ program. Washington said the materials were available for public review from April 28 through May 23; the district logged 170 views of the materials and received eight feedback submissions on the Google form.
Board members and staff addressed parental opt-out mechanics. Washington and Kelly Trakey, curriculum staff, said teachers will notify families in advance about upcoming modules and that parents may opt students out of specific lessons; principals and teachers will arrange alternative learning opportunities. Trakey said practices vary by grade and building, and that teams often shift schedules or use student ambassadors to avoid isolating students who are excused from a lesson.
Board discussion focused on the logistics and student experience when a parent opts a child out of a lesson. Directors asked for assurances that students would not be isolated or placed in unproductive settings when excused. Trakey said arrangements vary by grade and building; the district will work to develop a common understanding and minimize any negative experience for opt-out students.
A board member moved to approve the K–12 health curriculum; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board record shows no roll-call tally was given during the meeting; the board chair announced the curriculum was adopted.
District staff said the curriculum alignment to Oregon Health Education Standards informed the recommendations and that parents retain the right to opt out of individual lessons by arrangement with the child’s principal.
Board members requested clearer system-level guidance on how opt-out students will be managed so they do not become isolated, especially in elementary settings where single students might be excused.
