AUSTIN, Texas – For the first time in more than a decade, Austin Independent School District is revamping its sexual education curriculum and wants input from parents.
- AISD revamping sex ed
- Current curriculum doesn't include consent
- Parents can opt students out of being educated
The district held its first meeting Thursday night. AISD said it wants the new curriculum to help kids navigate social media and not let their body image be negatively influenced by what they see online.
Additionally, the current curriculum does not include anything about consent.
"It doesn’t necessarily mean consent to have sex. It means consent for anything,” said Kathy Ryan, director of AISD Academics. “I don’t want to walk down the hallway, I don't want you holding my hand. So we need to be able to give our kids the language and the tools and the skills to be able to say, 'No.' 'Stop.'”
Parents have the option to opt their children out of the curriculum all together.
There are two more feedback meetings next week. One meeting is on Tuesday, November 13 at Lanier High School at 6 p.m. The second meeting is on Thursday, November 15 at Eastside Memorial Early College High School at 6 p.m.
Parents can also fill out a survey with their feedback in an email sent to all AISD parents.