Atlanta ISD Health Curriculum
(Includes Human Sexuality)
 
The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is established to assist the school district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district’s health education instruction. The SHAC's duties are to make recommendations to the administration and school board in regard to a health curriculum that includes human sexuality instruction, health education, physical education, nutritional services, and substance abuse.

On April 25, 2023, the Atlanta ISD Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation of the SHAC committee and approved the ESTEEM Health Curriculum for students grades 6-9.

ESTEEM
Esteem Journeys is an evidence-based sexual education and character education program.  The program is abstinence-based, medically accurate, and proven effective. Esteem has been developed with over 18 years of research and has proven effective in encouraging students to think about the impact of their choices. Through character development, adolescent safety, and sexual risk avoidance lessons, it also helps to improve student awareness of the importance of making healthy decisions.  ESTEEM consists of optimal health messages created by a coalition of dedicated people, including science teachers, coaches, counselors, nurses, doctors, SHAC members, topic experts, parents and even students.  Esteem addresses all points in Texas Education Code 28.004. Local School Health Advisory Council and Health Education Instruction: Sections e-j Chapter 115. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Health Education, Statutory Authority: The provisions of this Subchapter B Middle School issued under the Texas Education Code, §§7.102(c)(4), 28.002(s), 37.001, and 37.0832, unless otherwise noted. Subchapter C. High School.

For more information about this program: https://esteemjourney.com/curriculum/
 
To watch a Parent info Video visit:  https://mercymanor.com/esteem

ESTEEM Program Parent Take-Home Questions:

5^th Grade

6^th Grade

High School

 
Continuing Conversation and Resource Packets are available upon request.

Texas State Laws About Sex Education

• The law creates SHAC Committees, which are parent and community volunteer groups charged with ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction.
• Curriculum adoption: State law requires sex education curriculum to be adopted by the local school board, on the recommendation of the SHAC Committee.
• Sex education content: Instruction related to human sexuality must stress abstinence from sexual activity for students as the preferred and safest choice of behavior.
• Parent rights: Parents must actively opt their children into sex education. They have the right to review the local sex education curriculum. Parents must be notified about sex education that will be provided to their children. 

For more information, you may contact Lori Cullins, Director of Instructional Programs, at Atlanta ISD. Lcullins@atlisd.net or (903) 796-4194 ext. 1003