(1) It is the intent of this section to eliminate sex bias in connection with any form of instruction provided by a school district.
(2) The instructional materials policy of each school district required by RCW
28A.320.230 shall incorporate therein, as part of the selection criteria, a specific statement requiring the elimination of sex bias in all textbooks and instructional materials including reference materials and audio-visual materials.
(3) The instructional materials committee of each school district shall establish and maintain appropriate screening criteria designed to identify and eliminate sex bias in all textbooks and instructional materials including reference materials and audio-visual materials: Provided, That such selection criteria shall be consistent with the selection criteria endorsed by the state board of education dated December 6, 1974, WAC
180-48-010, as now or hereafter amended, and WAC
180-46-005 through
180-46-060, as now or hereafter amended. One of the aids to identification of sex bias in instructional materials consists of the
Washington Models for the Evaluation of Bias Content in Instructional Materials published by the superintendent of public instruction.
(4) In recognition of the fact that current instructional materials which contain sex bias may not be replaced immediately, each school district should acquire supplemental instructional materials or aids to be used concurrent with existing materials for the purpose of countering the sex bias content thereof.
(5) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the use or assignment of supplemental instructional materials such as classic and contemporary literary works, periodicals and technical journals which, although they contain sex bias, are educationally necessary or advisable.
[Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33. 90-16-002 (Order 18), § 392-190-055, filed 7/19/90, effective 8/19/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220 [(1)](a). 89-23-001 (Order 15), § 392-190-055, filed 11/2/89, effective 12/3/89. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.85.020, 28A.85.030 and 28A.85.050. 80-09-017 (Order 80-26), § 392-190-055, filed 7/9/80; Order 6-76, § 392-190-055, filed 5/17/76.]