Concerns Over Education Programming in Washington State
In Washington state, there seems to be a persistent effort to implement controversial gender education programs in schools. This comes despite an executive order from former President Trump aimed at prohibiting federal funding for initiatives promoting gender ideology.
The Washington Personal Responsibility Education Program, overseen by the state’s Department of Health, is noted for providing curriculum materials that align with ideas about gender identity and medical interventions for sexual transition. Critics argue that this orientation contradicts the recent federal directive prohibiting the use of federal funds to propagate such ideologies.
Alleigh Marre, the executive director of the American Parents Coalition, expressed her disapproval, deeming it “very inappropriate” to utilize federal resources for teaching gender ideology to young students. She emphasized the lack of parental consent in these programs and called for urgent action to remedy what she views as an overreach by educators.
Marre acknowledged the need for accountability in the handling of taxpayer funds and hoped that investigations would ensure compliance with legal standards while respecting parental rights.
Interestingly, the Washington Department of Health has not provided any comments regarding these concerns.
Some educational resources have sparked further discussion. For instance, on the WA PREP website under the topic of “gender, LGBTQ+”, educators pose questions to young students, including whether “all people born with a vulva are girls.” If students are unsure about their answer, instructors clarify that some individuals with vulvas may identify as boys, suggesting that biology isn’t the sole determinant of gender.
In a particularly striking classroom example, a transgender individual, previously identified as female, discusses personal experiences with their child’s class, touching on transitioning and undergoing medical procedures. When a student inquires about “male or female parts,” the response raises eyebrows about the appropriateness of such topics for young audiences.
Erika Sanji, a director focused on educational outreach, argued that the content in question resembles cult-like indoctrination and has no place in schools. She asserted that the existence of such teachings calls into question the legitimacy of public funding being channeled toward these organizations.
Since 2013, the Washington DOH has received over $10 million through the PREP initiative, meant to provide essential sexual health education. Representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services indicated that they are committed to aligning the program with federal standards while removing problematic content.
Under these directives from HHS, states, including Washington, are required to submit their educational materials for review to ensure compliance with laws that prohibit radical gender ideology and other explicit content.
Despite these assurances from HHS, educational resources within the WA PREP program encourage the use of “gender-inclusive” language, urging educators to avoid binary terms. For example, one resource suggests using “pregnant person” instead of “pregnant woman,” acknowledging that such language may feel unnatural to some.
Another resource offers guidance on discussing gender diversity and using specific anatomical language while challenging the binary idea of gender, attempting to promote an understanding that there are more than just two genders.
