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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:
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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. 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.”
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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 for tips.
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Read more about sex education on our Texas is Ready blog.
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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
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