Austin ISD School Health Advisory Council

Health Education Committee

Human Sexuality Curriculum Recommendation

Background:

The AISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) has a statutory obligation to assist the district in
ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district’s health education curriculum,
including human sexuality education. AISD Local policy dictates the following in relation to human
sexuality education curriculum content:

• The district’s sexuality education program has been established to provide information and skill
development for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade so that they may reach their
highest potential for physical, emotional, mental, and social health.
• Curriculum content is to be delivered in a developmentally and age-appropriate manner, and to
include the most current and scientifically accurate information regarding child and adolescent
health issues.

AISD is revisiting the human sexuality curriculum for Kindergarten through grade 8, as to be in
compliance with the district’s curriculum management plan. This is the first human sexuality curriculum
revision the district has conducted in ten years. The new curriculum will focus on abstinence, will meet
the National Sexuality Education Standards, and include the following parameters:

• Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse

• Communication, goal settings, decision making, assertiveness, limit settings, and refusal skills.
• Evaluation of multimedia/pop culture messages related to sexual behavior
• Rights to the privacy of bodies
• Rights to feel safe from unwanted touches
• How to talk to a trusted adult

Kindergarten through 5th grade curriculum will be composed of five lessons per grade, while the 6th-8th
grade curriculum will have 10 lessons per grade. The curriculum is to be implemented in all elementary
and middle schools in the 18-19 school year.

All parents/guardians will receive a notification letter at the beginning of the school year with
information of the district’s human sexuality education plan. Parents/guardians have the right to opt
their child out of any or all lessons, and will be provided multiple opportunities to do so. Parent
orientation night will be hosted by school principals at each campus to provide an overview of the
curriculum before it is taught. Opt out letters will be available for parents/guardians at that time.
Additionally, all parents/guardians will receive an opt-out notice in the Spring semester before the
lessons are implemented. Students who are opted out of the human sexuality lessons will be provided
SEL lessons in another location during instruction time. The curriculum will be available in school
libraries for parental review.
Purpose of the recommendation:

The Health Education Subcommittee believes that AISD students be provided the tools and skills in order
to achieve their health goals, and be career and life ready. The subcommittee agrees to uphold the
district’s values of the whole child, every child; of supporting physical, social and emotional health, and
safety; and of ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion for AISD students.

AISD obtained input and feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders while developing the curriculum
to ensure the scope and sequence upholds state and local policy, academic standards, and reflects
community standards. The stakeholder group was comprised of SEL staff, counselors, science specialists,
health specialists, principals, teachers, SHAC members, parent support specialists, academic leadership,
professional development staff, and early childhood specialists. This group met from December 2017
through April 2018 to review curriculum content, provide feedback, and ensure it aligned with district
policies, the National Sexuality Education Standards, and the Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool.

Parents had various opportunities to have their voice heard in SHAC meetings and an AISD hosted
parent focus group held on May 23, 2018. Additionally, the SHAC has received written and oral
communication from parents and community members. Feedback from parents and community
members in support of sexuality education included the following points:

• Sexuality education teaches on consent, healthy relationships, and boundaries.

• Children should learn their body parts to fully understand their biology, and be able to report
abuse.
• AISD needs to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all students.
• Sexuality education reduces teen pregnancy rates and STD rates,

Feedback from parents and community members in opposition of sexuality education included:

• Sexuality education should not be taught until adolescents are 17, in accordance with age of
consent laws.
• Sexuality education over-sexualizes children.
• Sexuality education is graphic and objectionable.
• Sexuality education should be opt-in, not opt out.

We appreciate everyone for sharing their thoughts. Adjustments will be made to the curriculum based
on feedback received from parents and stakeholders.

Recommendation:

The Health Education Subcommittee recommends, as per EHAA Legal and Local, that the SHAC
implement the scope and sequence of the human sexuality education curriculum as presented to the
subcommittee that includes Get Real and Rights, Respect, and Responsibility (3Rs) as resources.
Additionally, the subcommittee recommends the adoption of the National Sexuality Education
Standards as a guide for human sexuality education content and instruction, and recommends the
district rely on evidence-based and evidence-informed resources for all future program modifications.

After review and discussion, we feel confident that this curriculum will help students stay safe and
healthy. Parent, community member, and student feedback was considered in the committee’s decision.