Dear John,

My name is Jen Biundo and I am the Director of Policy and Data for the Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. I’m also the proud mom of two boys who attend Texas public schools (well, nowadays, virtually attend). 

Like so many families nowadays, we’re juggling work, online camps, parenting, running a household, and valiantly trying to keep up the fight against too much screen time.

When I have a moment to sit down and think, I’m reminded of the immense value of public education, and the importance of responsible public policy. While health policy is front and center in the midst of this crisis, a critically important piece of education policy continues to march forward. 

For the first time in 22 years, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is revising the minimum curriculum standards that guide health education -- and sex education -- in Texas. On Monday June 29th, we participated in 16 hours of public testimony, the overwhelming majority of it passionately in support of evidence-based, medically accurate, and incusive sex education. We’re optimistic that we can support positive change. 

Texas does not require health education in high school, but many districts choose to offer high school elective health classes, which include sex education. Some districts also teach concepts in elementary school that form the foundation of sex education, such as the names of body parts, skills for healthy friendships, and important concepts about respecting boundaries.

Districts that choose to teach sex education must adhere to the curriculum standards set by the SBOE: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. These represent the minimum standards that Texas students must learn in each course. School districts can choose to go above and beyond the TEKS in selecting curricula for their students. Current TEKS offer minimal information on topics like contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, aren’t inclusive to LGBTQ students, and don’t address the concept of boundaries or consent.

Throughout 2020, the SBOE will revise these Health TEKS for the first time since the 1990s, so this is an incredible opportunity for much-needed improvements. But we need your help. Advocacy work largely goes unfunded in organizations like ours. Please consider a gift to support this important work -- the timing is urgent as resources are limited, but the SBOE is still expected to make a decision this year.  

Onward,

Jen Biundo, Director of Policy and Data 

PS -- If you are homeschooling your childrens’ sex education this year, check out our webpage for some helpful resources.