John,

Next week's Texas State Board of Education hearing unfortunately won't have an option to testify virtually. Anyone wishing to deliver remarks to the board must do so in person in Austin.

The hearing for the health materials will occur Tuesday, Nov. 16, after 1 p.m. CST, and the hearing for the science standards will happen Wednesday, Nov. 17, after 9 a.m. CST.

It's critical that the SBOE hear from as many people as possible before board members vote on new science standards that must address climate change and health textbooks that cover sex education.

If you can make it in person, we would love to see you there! You still need to register to testify. The registration window is now open but will close this Friday at 5 p.m. CST.

Click here now to pledge to testify and you’ll automatically be sent instructions on how to register and a comprehensive guide to testifying.

In case you missed it, here is what the board will consider.

Science Standards 
In September, the SBOE made several changes to K-8 science standards that required students to learn about the reality and cause of climate change as well as ways to mitigate and adapt to the problem. But two days later, the board moved to weaken those changes, following pressure from representatives of the fossil fuel industry in Texas.

Weakening the standards was wrong. Climate change threatens the entire planet, and millions of Texas school kids deserve to learn the facts about a problem they will inherit. Board members must hear from Texans who want the new science standards to do a better job covering this issue than than the abysmal standards approved by climate deniers who controlled the board more than a decade ago.

Health Materials
Last year, the SBOE made some improvements to school health standards that cover sex education -- particularly on teaching about contraception -- after decades of sticking to a failed abstinence-only approach. Now the board is faced with approving instructional materials (textbooks) based on those standards.

But opponents of sex education have attacked some of the proposed textbooks for including information on contraception as well as sexual orientation, gender identity and the importance of consent. Before board members vote, it's important for them to hear from Texans who want textbooks that give students the infromation they need to make important life decisions about sex and health and live happy, healthy lives.

Can We Count on You?
We need fair-minded Texans to tell their SBOE members that we need progress on these two subjects. Click here now for our guide to testifying.

Not in Austin?
Stay tuned for more information later this week on how you can contact your SBOE member before the meeting.

Let's #TeachTheTruth, y'all!

In the fight,

Jules Mandel (they/them)
TFN Outreach & Advocacy Strategist

P.S. To ensure we can continue fighting to #TeachTheTruth in our classrooms, make a tax-deductible gift to TFN today. Your support will help the future generation of Texans learn the truth.