Why is the Round Rock ISD SHAC evaluating curricula that violate Texas law?
In the presentation posted on the SHAC website (https://roundrockisd.org/about-rrisd/citizens-committees/school-health-advisory-council/) , slide 16 shows the following curricula to be reviewed:
Goodheart-Willcox - *awaiting final draft for analysis*
Big Decisions
fails to convey the centrality of abstinence required by Texas Education Code 28.004(e)
Advocates for Youth
fails to convey the centrality of abstinence required by Texas Education Code 28.004(e);
Advocates for Youth was the Planned Parenthood Center for Population Options;
may violate Texas Government Code, Chapter 2272 “prohibition on taxpayer resource transactions between state governmental entities, including public schools, and abortion providers or an affiliate of an abortion provider”
HealthSmart
fails to convey the centrality of abstinence required by Texas Education Code 28.004(e);
sold by ETR Associates which was Planned Parenthood Santa Cruz Education;
may violate Texas Government Code, Chapter 2272 “prohibition on taxpayer resource transactions between state governmental entities, including public schools, and abortion providers or an affiliate of an abortion provider”
GetReal
fails to convey the centrality of abstinence required by Texas Education Code 28.004(e);
sold by ETR Associates which was Planned Parenthood Santa Cruz Education;
written by Planned Parenthood;
violates Texas Government Code, Chapter 2272 “prohibition on taxpayer resource transactions between state governmental entities, including public schools, and abortion providers or an affiliate of an abortion provider”
LivingWellAware - *not analyzed*
The rubric posted fails to include criteria regarding law and administrative: Texas Education Code 28.004 and Texas Administrative Code (adopted for SY 2022-2023) 115.16.a.4-5, 115.17.a.4-5, 115.26.a.4-5, 115.27.a.4-5, 115.38.b.4-5, and 115.39.b.4-5, and 115.40.b.3-4.
It is unclear if the Middle School rubric is listing Grade 6 (115.26) or Grades 7-8 (115.27) Student Expectations (SEs) or both.
The rubrics and evaluation process is problematic. Please reevaluate and reconsider by providing guidance back to the SHAC.
Background:
(e) Any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome shall be selected by the board of trustees with the advice of the local school health advisory council and must:
(1) present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexual activity for unmarried persons of school age;
(2) devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;
(3) emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity, if used consistently and correctly, is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;
(4) direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and
(5) teach contraception and condom use in terms of human use reality rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content.
Each grade level with Human Sexuality Instruction in the TEKS has a section in Texas Administrative Code 115 that requires educators to be aware of state laws. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/HealthTEKS-Ch115_adopted-11-2020.pdf
(4) An integral part of health education involves educators being aware of state laws relevant to human sexuality instruction. These laws include affirming: (A) a local school district's control over the provision of human sexuality instruction to ensure that local community values are reflected in that instruction (Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.004(e)-(h));
(B) the right of a parent or legal guardian to be informed of the provision of human sexuality instruction to their child and review the content of that instruction (TEC, §28.004(i)-(j));
(C) the right of a parent or legal guardian to remove their child from any portion of human sexuality instruction without penalty to the child (TEC, §28.004(i));
(D) the centrality of abstinence education in any human sexuality curriculum (TEC, §28.004(e)); and
(E) the right of a parent or legal guardian to be informed of and consent to an abortion performed on their pregnant child (with judicially authorized or medical emergency exceptions) (Texas Family Code, Chapter 33).
(5) Educators also should be aware of and abide by the statutory prohibition on taxpayer resource transactions between state governmental entities, including public schools, and abortion providers or an affiliate of an abortion provider (Texas Government Code, Chapter 2272).”