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Dear John,

Sex education curriculum standards in Texas have been a marathon, but
we’re finally nearing the finish line — AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET
ACROSS. 

On November 17 - 20, the State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold a final
public hearing and cast votes on the Health Education Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. These standards haven’t been updated in 22
years. As a result, too many Texas students go without critical information
they need for personal health and healthy relationships.

The good news first: The final draft of the health TEKS REPRESENT A
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT STANDARDS. They include information on
contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and healthy relationships,
in addition to abstinence. For the first time, the updated draft Health
TEKS include standards on topics like postpartum depression, HPV
vaccination, internet safety, and more.

And now the bad news: The updated draft TEKS STILL DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE
NEEDS, OR EVEN THE EXISTENCE, OF LGBTQ YOUTH. These youth may face high
rates of bullying and discrimination, putting them at higher risk than
their peers for mental health trauma. Additionally, numerous research
studies find that LGBTQ youth are actually at higher risk of unintended
teen pregnancy.

The other bad news: At the September meeting, a majority of Republican SBOE
members voted to REMOVE LANGUAGE TEACHING STUDENTS ABOUT CONSENT. Despite
extensive supporting research and testimony from numerous major medical and
youth-serving organizations regarding consent education as a key protective
factor against sexual abuse and exploitation, the majority of SBOE members
opposed including it in the standards.

THERE ARE SEVERAL IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVOCATES TO WEIGH IN DURING
THE FINAL MONTH: 

* THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY IS ACCEPTING FORMAL WRITTEN COMMENTS on the
final draft of the Health Education TEKS. You can review the draft and
submit written comments here [3]. These comments can be short and sweet.
For example, you might write something like,_ “I support the
abstinence-plus language in health education TEKS, including instruction on
contraception, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and healthy
relationships. However, the standards should include age-appropriate
instruction on consent, which is a strong protective factor against sexual
abuse and exploitation. Additionally, I urge the SBOE to consider the needs
of LGBTQ youth in the health education standards.” _
* EMAIL YOUR SBOE MEMBER and ask them to reinstate crucial language on
consent in the Health TEKS. You can also ask them to include language that
is inclusive of LGBTQ youth. Check out our quick advocacy guide [4]for
tips.
* READ MORE ABOUT SEX EDUCATION on our Texas is Ready blog [5].
* ADD YOUR ADDRESS in our database by clicking the "Update My Info"
button below — this allows us to connect you with advocacy opportunities
based on who represents you.

Thank you for your continued support to help ensure that every Texas youth
has the information and resources they need to avoid unintended pregnancy!

ONWARDS!

Jen Biundo

Director of Policy and Data

Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Update My Info [6]

CONTACT INFO

* Your name: John xxxxxx
* Your email: [email protected]

* Your mailing address:


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_The Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit
organization that aims to prevent unintended pregnancy through research,
advocacy, training, and collaboration. _

Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy P.O. Box 10357 Austin, Texas 78766

[email protected] / 512.686.8305

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