COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

Steven R. Staples, Ed.D. Superintendent of Public Instruction

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION P.O. BOX 2120

Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

February 24,2015

The Honorable Scott A. Surovell, Chairman Minority Caucus P. O. Box289 Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121

Dear Delegate Surovell,

Office: (804) 225-2023 Fax: (804) 371-2099

I appreciate your letter expressing concern regarding the increasing problem of sexting among our children and adolescents. While portable communication devices provide great opportlmities for teaching and learning, they may also be misused by students. Sexting is an illegal act that may have long-term consequences. Students are often naive regarding the illegal, social, and emotional consequences of such behavior. It is important that we prepare students for healthy decision making by revising the Family Life Education Standards of Learning to specifically address sexting and the ramifications of such behavior.

Presently, the Standards of Learning (SOL) in both Health and Family Life Education (FLE) address the issues of online safety and consequences of inappropriate behavior. The Health Education Standards of Learningfor Virginia Public Schools identify the concepts, processes, and skills for a continuum of learning experiences for students in kindergarten through grade ten. The standards provide school divisions and teachers with a guide for creating aligned curricula and structured learning experiences in health education. Furthermore,

The 2015 Standards of Learning reflect age-appropriate knowledge and ability, increasing in depth and complexity as students mature. The standards are designed to provide a core body of knowledge while also allowingflexibility for students to develop personal values and beliefs as well as shared group norms, and for individual school-communities to address local health issues and emerging health concerns, (Health Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools, 2015, p. i).

Delegate Scott A. Surovell February 24, 20 IS Page 2

The Health SOL were revised and approved by the Board of Education in January of this year. They contain essential healthy interpersonal concepts and healthy decision making at each grade level. These essential concepts provide foundational knowledge for developing healthy relationships. Healthy decision making broadens the students understanding of how to transfer information in a variety of contexts to make healthy and safe choices.

As early as third grade, there is health content on personal safety when online. In seventh grade, the students learn the potential safety issues related to being online. By ninth grade, students are studying the short- and long-term consequences of inappropriate behaviors online. Within the context of healthy decision making, curriculum couId certainly address sexting and the serious consequences students could face if they participate.

The Code of Virginia § 22.1-207.1 required the Board of Education to develop SOL and curriculum guidelines for FLE, but does not require local school boards to implement the SOL or guidelines. In 2011, legislation was introduced that would have required public schools to offer FLE. The bill passed the Senate but was left in the House Education Committee (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-binllegp504.exe?111 +fu1+SB967).

If local school boards decide to provide FLE, they must have a process for curriculum development that includes parent and community input. In addition, provisions must include a mechanism for parentsl guardians to opt their child out of FLE instruction.

Fifth grade FLE SOL include content regarding messages from mass media related to sexuality, including sexual exploitation; recognizing threatening or uncomfortable situations and how to react to them, including text messages, methods of self-protection, and reporting of threats. The inappropriate use of electronic devices such as phone or Internet are addressed in seventh grade SOL content, and discussing the impact of personal information posted on social networking sites is included in eighth grade. IdentifYing the appropriate and inappropriate use of electronic devices is covered in the ninth grade SOL.

Thank you for bringing this important issue to our attention. Utilizing the foundation of the current FLE SOL, we will expand the learning objectives and descriptive statements to include information on sexting and the possible criminal consequences of participating in this behavior. I look forward to future opportunities to collaborate in this area.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SRS/tbc