The RISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is voting on a new human sexuality curriculum for secondary health students. Lessons will be taught during the Health 1 class. The SHAC committee is reviewing the “Choosing the Best” curriculum.
The RISD community is invited to preview the curriculum and provide input to the committee before it is presented to board of trustees for consideration. These are “opt-in” lessons for students in grades 7 through 12, meaning parents must opt their student in to receive the lesson or students will not receive the information.
The “Choosing the Best” curriculum aims to educate teens on the health advantages of delayed sexual activity and empower them to make the healthiest choices to reduce unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, improving life outcomes for teens and their families. For more information, please visit this website: https://www.choosingthebest.com/.
Parents and the public will have the opportunity to review the curriculum at the RISD Professional Development Center located at 701 W. Belt Line Road in Richardson any time during these windows:
- Monday, Oct. 24, in the Professional Development Center gym in Building C from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 27, in the Professional Development Center auditorium in Building B from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Professional Development Center gym in Building C from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Professional Development Center gym in Building C from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In addition, SHAC has been researching lessons to align with Texas SB 9, which seeks to address the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking, and the adoption of public school policies to prevent dating violence. These are also “opt-in” lessons that will be taught once during sixth grade, once during junior high, and once during high school.
RISD stakeholders will have the opportunity to review these materials simultaneously at next week’s scheduled curriculum preview night.
