Human Sexuality & Responsibility Curriculum at Austin ISD
Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) instruction develops and strengthens the ability of students to make conscious, healthy, and respectful choices regarding dating/romantic relationships, personal safety, anatomy and physiology, puberty and adolescent development, pregnancy and reproduction, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. he district’s HSR education program has been established to provide information and skill development for students in kindergarten through grade 12 so that they may reach their highest potential for physical, emotional, mental and social health.
HSR curriculum and instructional materials are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Health Education, with supplemental content established by the National Sex Education Standards, approved by the Austin ISD Board of Trustees. Grade-level lessons, scope and sequence documents, instructional materials, family resources, accommodations, and related district policies are available on this website.
Content shall include information regarding healthy and unhealthy dating/romantic relationships, online and personal safety (including the prevention of child abuse, family and dating violence and sex trafficking), anatomy and physiology, puberty and adolescent development, pregnancy and reproduction, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. (EHAA Local)
HSR Instruction and Parent Permission
Human Sexuality Responsibility (HSR) lessons are taught to K–12 students whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) submit a signed opt-in permission letter. Written notices are distributed by campus leadership or classroom teachers at least 14 days prior to the start of the HSR unit. Lessons are implemented annually in November/December for fall High School Health, and in April/May for K–8 Science classes and spring High School Health courses.
To ensure that students receive quality HSR instruction, all teachers will receive training on the skills needed for and best practices related to navigating complex concepts and questions. Prior to HSR program implementation, the campus principal shall conduct at least one orientation session scheduled at a convenient time for parents and guardians. Families shall be provided reasonable written notice of the time and location of the orientation session. The purpose of the session is to detail the process of implementation of the HSR program and the permission process.
Parent & Guardian Support
- For questions about curriculum content, please contact the Health & PE Team via an Austin ISD Help Ticket.
- For questions about curriculum implementation, please contact your campus principal and/or health science teacher.
- For questions about the opt-in and opt-out of lessons process, please review the information on the Human Sexuality Responsibilities (HSR) Family Resources | Austin ISD webpage.
- For information about related policies, please visit the HSR Policies | Austin ISD webpage.
- To provide public comment to the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), please complete and submit a Speaker Card.
HSR lessons will be implemented in K-8 science and high school health classes each school year.
HSR permission letters will be sent out at least 2 weeks prior to the lessons beginning. Parents/guardians will have the option to opt-in to all lessons, opt-in to individual lessons, or opt-out of all lessons. We ask that all permission letters be returned regardless of the selected option.
Principals will also be hosting an HSR orientation meeting for families in order to provide detailed information about curriculum implementation for their respective campuses. Timelines for implementation vary by grade and campus so please check with your child’s teacher or campus principal for exact dates.
All HSR lessons, including scope and sequence and teaching materials, can be found under the K-HS Lessons page.