Two days remain for Austin ISD families to review proposed new Human Sexuality & Responsibility lessons and resources, and to offer feedback. 

After completing the RFP (Request for Proposals) process to solicit vendors, AISD has proposed using the Get Real curriculum for grades 6–8, and staff has written the lessons for grades 3–5. 

The lessons are on display all week at the AISD Science and Health Resource Center, 305 N Bluff Drive. Staff are on hand at the SHRC to answer questions, and families are encouraged to share their feedback about specific lessons and resources. 

Nearly 40 people attended the district’s community meeting Tuesday night at Austin High School and provided feedback to staff. Another 40 have visited the SHRC this week.

Timeline

School districts regularly update their lessons and resources, usually every two or three years. The district’s Human Sexuality & Responsibility Curriculum has not been updated in 11 years. 

In fall 2018, an online survey and a series of in-person meetings gave families, staff and students the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposed scope and sequence—topics and timeline—for the revisions. 

Nearly 6,000 members of the AISD community responded to the survey, the full results of which were posted on the Health Education webpage.  

After reviewing the survey results and making changes to the placement of some objectives, staff presented the scope and sequence to trustees. The board approved the topics and timeline Feb. 25, and staff began the RFP process the next day, eventually selecting Get Real as the possible provider for the new lessons and resources for grades 6–8. 

Next steps

Following this week’s open house and meeting, staff will review feedback and make any necessary changes to the lessons or resources. Trustees are scheduled to vote on whether to adopt the new content at their June 17 meeting. 

As a reminder to all families: Once the lessons are approved, they will be on display in every school’s library. The lessons are taught in May. Families may opt their students out of any or all lessons at any campus. Students who are opted out will take part in a lesson related to social and emotional learning. 

For more information, please visit the district’s Health Education webpage.