Texas Values Helps Parents File TEA Complaint After Round Rock ISD Ignores Student Safety

Round Rock Independent School District officials find themselves in the middle of yet another controversy, this time centered around a male high school student being allowed to use a female locker room without notifying the parents. Parents of a Round Rock ISD High School student, with the help of Texas Values, filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) after the school district went for months without adequately addressing the safety grievance filed by the parents. Jonathan Saenz, President and attorney for Texas Values said, "Round Rock ISD has a record of mismanagement and dodging controversial issues, which is why parents are rightfully outraged. The district can run but they can't hide, and the parents are not letting this issue go." See the press release here.

Texas Education Standards Undercut Civic Responsibility

Next week, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) will discuss the Social Studies standards for eighth grade and high school students. It is important that parents and educators voice their opinion on the current drafts of the Social Studies standards to make sure that students are receiving a well-rounded and accurate education.

The current draft omits many important aspects of American history and civics. It deletes a standard that suggests how to be a good citizen, including: being well informed on civic affairs, serving the military, voting, serving on a jury, observing the laws, paying taxes, and serving the public good. The SBOE needs to be encouraged to keep the Social Studies standards that portray history accurately and positively. To read more about the standards being considered, please read the full blog post here.

Registration to testify begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 9 and closes Friday, June 10, at 5 p.m. Please register to testify here.

Austin ISD Board of Trustees met Thursday night and received a presentation from the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) on recommendations for human sexuality courses for Kindergarten through high school students. The SHAC plans to teach sex-ed for kids as young as Kindergarten, which is only five years old. The curriculum includes gender neutral language and concepts. Students are learning about “consent” in grades as early as third and fifth. The Texas State Board of Education voted against having the topic of consent taught to any student, due to the fact that minors cannot legally consent to sexual activity.

The Austin ISD school board will vote on the curriculum on June 23. If your children attend Austin ISD, please get involved.

Next week, the 2022 Texas State Republican Convention will be held June 16 – 18, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Texas Values will be staffing an exhibit table there and discuss the issues of faith, family, and freedom with individuals as well as other organizations for future partnerships.  If you would like to attend the Texas GOP convention, please visit here.

On June 1, Texas Values hosted a 9 month celebration event of the Texas Heartbeat Law and a discussion about a post-Roe Texas and a post-Roe America.  The all-star lineup included Texas Senator Bryan Hughes, the author of the Heartbeat Law; Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life; Catherine Glenn Foster, President and CEO of Americans United for Life; and Texas Representative Shelby Slawson.  There was also a video message from the Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.  A panel of pregnancy center directors from Texas shared about their experience in their centers during the past 9 months.  A mom shared her experience at one of these centers by video while holding her baby on her lap.  The event ended with the singing of happy birthday to the babies who are alive today as a result of the Texas Heartbeat Law.

Jonathan Saenz, President and Attorney at Texas Values released the following statement: “An estimated 40,000 babies are alive today in Texas because of the Heartbeat Law, and we celebrate them in a special way, since some now have even been born.  As we look with anticipation to the Supreme Court in its decision in Dobbs this month, our message is clear-- in a post-Roe America we can love and care for them both as we do in Texas.”

To watch the event, please visit here.

Save The Date!

During the next two weeks Texas Values is hosting events around the state and we hope you can join us! Find one in your area and reserve your tickets here.

Midland - June 14th, Noon-1pm - Higher Grounds Coffee Shop

Fort Worth - June 25th, 6-8pm - at the Home of Vince & Mona Puente

San Antonio - June 27th, 11:30am-1pm - Old San Francisco Steak House, 10223 Sahara Dr, San Antonio TX 78216

Houston - June 28th, 11:30am-1pm - Maggiano's Little Italy, 2019 Post Oak Blvd, Houston TX 77056

Pro-Lifers Ardently Pray for a Reversal of Roe v. Wade

The United States Supreme Court did not issue a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade this week. However, pro-lifers have been at the U.S. Supreme Court on an ongoing basis to pray and hope for a good outcome in the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. In May, a leaked document from the Court suggested that it is likely to overturn the 1973 decision that legalized abortion throughout the nation. The threat against Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s life this week only intensifies the necessity for an immediate release of the Court’s majority opinion. Texas Values is calling on all Texans to pray for the overturning of Roe and a swift decision in the Dobbs case. Get more pro-life news from Texas Values here.

Texas Values is Hiring!

Are you interested in joining us in standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas? Do you share our passion for securing religious liberty, protecting marriage and family, and defending the unborn? Texas Values is looking for a Director of Operations, a Communications Associate, and an Administrative Assistant. Texas Values is seeking motivated individuals to join the team. Internships and other volunteer opportunities are also available.