Sex-Focused Fort Worth ISD Causes Controversy
Fort Worth, TX – February 28, 2024: In a school board meeting last night, the Ft. Worth ISD, even though state law does not require them to, decided to jump into the controversial and politically charged space of teaching sex education to kids from grades 6-12. Texas law does not require school districts in Texas to teach sex education, but if they do, it must be abstinence-focused and it must align with state standards. Also, current state law requires that school districts first ask parent’s permission before teaching a student sex education (opt-in).
Texas Values President & Attorney, Jonathan Saenz, was present at the meeting and delivered public testimony on behalf of our thousands of supporters in the Ft. Worth area.
Many school districts decide to use health (sex education falls under this category) curriculum that the state board of education has reviewed extensively and given the “okay.” However, Ft. Worth ISD has decided to choose between two sex ed curriculums that the State Board of Education has not given an official approval: 1) Choosing the Best (supported by many parents and abstinence-focused citizens but with some concerning content) and 2) Health Smart (supported by liberal, LGBT, and abortion supporters). It’s also been reported that Ft. Worth ISD has spent $2.6 million on Health Smart from previous years.
With $2.6 million, they could have hired 50 more teachers. The board was met with a completely full meeting room with hundreds of people.
Texas Values does not support the Health Smart curriculum but has also had concerns that Choosing the Best needs to be improved by the publisher prior to any support.
At almost midnight, the Fort Worth ISD board voted unanimously to approve “Choosing the Best” sex education curriculum.
This is the first meeting the school board has had this cycle on this issue.
Jonathan Saenz, President and Attorney for Texas Values released the following statement:
“Ft. Worth ISD board members have decided to drag taxpayers and parents into the messy and controversial area of teaching sex education to kids in public schools. Thankfully state law requires schools to get parent permission first (opt-in) when teaching sexual topics. While the curriculum the board chose is believed to be abstinence-focused, it still has some concerning content and parents should watch all of this like a hawk.”
Ft. Worth ISD board members are Dr. Camille Rodriguez, Tobi Jackson, Quinton “Q” Phillips, Wallace Bridges, Kevin Lynch, Anne Darr, Dr. Michael Ryan, Anael Luebanos, and Roxanne Martinez.
For more information on this issue, read our press release here: Breaking! Fort Worth ISD Sex-Ed Program Tainted with LGBT Themes, Publishers Refuse to Make Changes.
Members of Texas Values policy team will be onsite during the Fort Worth ISD meeting and available for comment. Contact Ashley at [email protected] or text/call 737-314-2450 to schedule an interview.
###
About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.