“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them.” Ephesians 5:11 (NLT)

We watched social media in horror as the Austin Independent School District defied parents in the district by adopting K-12 sex-ed materials that offend the dignities of conservative families. I have been asked repeatedly what can be done. It will require all of us to be diligent in watching our own local school district meetings. The local advisory board charged with the responsibility of determining community standards is referred to as the “SHAC.”  The official name for the body is School Health Advisory Council. It is mandated in Sec. 28.004 of the Texas Education Code as amended by the last session of the Texas Legislature and effective on December 1, 2019.  Click here to read the text of the state code that establishes the advisory councils.

Whether you are currently a parent of a public-school student or not, it’s time for us, as CWA leaders, to step up and hold our ground in defense of our children. If not us, then who? See action items 1-4 below.

On a different, but similar note, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) health standards, which includes sex education standards, are currently being reviewed and edited by a committee appointed by the State Board of Education (SBOE). CWA of Texas is very concerned that there will be an aggressive push to move Texas away from abstinence-based standards to comprehensive sex ed standards.

Once the draft of the standards is completed, there will be an open comment period where the public can provide feedback on the standards, which should be sometime in 2020. Once the standards are approved, textbook companies will write the textbooks and develop the health education curriculum and present to the SBOE for final approval.

Action Items: 

1. Volunteer to serve on the SHAC as a parent or community representative. It is critical that Christian conservatives be appointed to local school district SHACs. These Councils will be filled by parents and community members, so why not you? To begin the process of applying, call your local school district and ask to speak to the person who oversees health education for the district. Then inquire about their process of selecting parents and community representatives to serve on the Council. Make every effort to get yourself on the Council.
2. Recruit parents or others to serve on the Council.
3. At the very least, call your local school district to find out who is serving on the SHAC, when the meetings are held, and then be sure to attend the meetings. These are public meetings, so you have every right to be there. Your presence will make a difference.
4. Review the proposed health education curriculum for your child’s (grandchild’s) grade level and provide substantive feedback and concerns.
5. Know who represents you on the State Board of Education.  Your SBOE district number is on your voter registration card. Several members have chosen not to seek reelection in 2020; therefore, it is important that you participate in choosing someone to represent you who represents your standards.

Pray:  Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.”  It is a reprehensible desecration of that gift to submit them to a morally corrupt curriculum, to undermine their innocence, and pervert their future. Pray that God will lead you to impact this issue in the way He has designed you and given you access.

Ann Hettinger
State Director
CWA of Texas