Austin school board to mull sex ed lessons

Austin school district officials on Monday night will give the public a glimpse of specific sex education lessons scheduled to be introduced in the 2019-20 school year for elementary students.

The proposed changes have sparked controversy over the past several months within the community, but the meeting will be the first time school board members weigh in. The board will discuss the specific topics proposed for each grade level on the same night they are scheduled to hear at least one grievance against the district from a parent trying to stop the curriculum from being adopted.

Though no vote is scheduled, the board could reach a consensus about whether to approve the new curriculum.

At last week's school board meeting, trustees, without explanation, abruptly postponed discussion of the proposed revisions. The Human Sexuality and Responsibility curriculum is being overhauled for the first time in a decade for elementary schools, and it includes introducing topics such as sexual orientation, gender identity and sexually transmitted diseases. The current elementary curriculum was rolled out in 2010, and the middle school curriculum was put in place in 2012.

Responding to a survey, hundreds of parents expressed opposition to the proposed changes, saying the material is inappropriate, particularly for younger children. A conservative religious advocacy group, Texas Values, also opposes the proposed curriculum and called on its members to send emails to trustees.

Supporters of the suggested changes, including members of the district's Student Health Advisory Council, recommend a more comprehensive sex education curriculum, one they said should also address the needs and questions of LGBT students.

The proposed changes include:

• Defining sexual orientation and discussing sexually transmitted diseases and ways they are transmitted, to be introduced in fifth grade.

• Differentiating between and explaining expressions of gender, which would be taught in sixth grade.

• Describing the steps of condom use and the options available in pregnancy, including emergency contraception, to eighth-grade students.

The proposed curriculum also includes lessons for elementary students about consent and refusal skills, which are recommended to start in third grade and continue through eighth grade. Other topics would include healthy relationships, anatomy and physiology, puberty, and reproduction and personal safety.

Proposed sex education lessons These objectives are included in the proposed curriculum the Austin school board will discuss at its meeting Monday: Grade 3 Identify trusted adults to talk to about relationships. Demonstrate refusal skills. Grade 4 Identify parents or other trusted adults to talk to about sexual orientation. Demonstrate how to work together to promote dignity and respect for all people. Describe male and female reproductive body parts and their functions. Grade 5 Define teasing, sexual harassment and bullying. Demonstrate refusal skills and "no" statements. Define sexual orientation and romantic attraction. Describe the way humans reproduce. Identify age-appropriate information about how sexually transmitted diseases and infections are transmitted, their symptoms and methods of prevention. Grade 6 Discuss how to report abuse or assault to trusted adults. Explain personal rights regarding touching. Differentiate between and explain expressions of gender. Communicate respectfully about gender identities and sexual orientation. Define sexual intercourse, human reproduction, sexual abstinence and pregnancy prevention. Define sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, their symptoms and impact. Develop a plan to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Grade 7 Differentiate between and explain terms of gender and gender roles. Communicate respectfully with and about people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Define sexual intercourse, human reproduction, sexual abstinence and pregnancy prevention. Explain the health benefits, risks and percentage of effectiveness of contraception. Communicate effectively about how to maintain abstinence and how to use contraception, including the steps to use condoms correctly. Define sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, preventing transmission and risk-associated behaviors.  Grade 8 Demonstrate communication skills about personal boundaries. Design criteria to evaluate a relationship. Describe situations and the effects of bullying, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, incest, rape and dating violence. Explain personal rights regarding unwanted touches. Explain why people are not at fault for being victims. Analyze external influences and accurate information about gender. Access information about people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Identify sexual health resources. Define sexual intercourse, human reproduction, sexual abstinence and pregnancy prevention. Explain the health benefits, risks and percentage of effectiveness of contraception and emergency contraception. Explain the symptoms of pregnancy and healthy pregnancy practices. Identify pregnancy options, prenatal care and safe surrender policies for newborns. Analyze abstinence versus risk-associated behaviors in regard to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Identify community resources for testing and treatment related to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Describe how to use a condom correctly.