All curriculum materials and resources used in teaching sexual health education must be reviewed and approved by the Ann Arbor Public Schools Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee (AAPS SHEAC) for recommendation to the AAPS Board of Education. All materials must be approved by the AAPS Board of Education before they can be used or presented in the public schools.
Who can submit materials?
Materials can be submitted for review by teachers and other school district staff, students, parents, community organizations and professionals, and other interested parties.
How should they be submitted?
Materials can either be submitted accompanied by a written description or individuals can request time to present materials at a SHEAC meeting. AAPS SHEAC Materials Review Application
Submissions of printed or video materials must include, at a minimum, at least one complete copy of the resource. Prior to submission, the necessary number of copies for the particular resource should be discussed with the SHEAC co-chair designated with responsibility for curriculum review. Provision of multiple copies of the materials will speed the review process.
If the request is for a presentation or workshop, the materials provided should include as much detail as possible (e.g., outlines of content, copies of PowerPoint or slide presentations, copies of handouts, tapes or videos of presentations if available).
Presentations to the committee will be limited to 10 minutes, followed by questions from the committee.
What is the review process?
SHEAC Committee Review:
SHEAC members will individually review and evaluate the submitted materials according to the standards outlined in the AAPS SHEAC Curriculum Review Criteria (see below).
SHEAC members will discuss the submitted materials as a group at either a regularly scheduled or specially scheduled SHEAC meeting. Following discussion, committee members will vote on whether to recommend the resource for Board approval, not adopt the resource, or gather additional information about the resource (e.g., request additional information, attend a workshop). SHEAC rules governing voting procedures will be followed (see AAPS SHEAC By-Laws, Article J).
The SHEAC will provide written feedback regarding the submission of any resources that are not approved for recommendation, explaining the reasons for the committee's decision.
Public Comment:
All materials approved by the SHEAC for recommendation to the AAPS Board of Education will be made available for public comment in a series of two public feedback sessions, along with being presented to the AAPS Board of Education for approval.
A minimum of one series (two sessions) of public feedback sessions will be held during each semester of the school year. Additional series may be scheduled if the need arises.
The public will be notified about the sessions in at least two of the following manners, a minimum of one week prior to the first session. Notification may be:
Posted on the Ann Arbor Public Schools Website;
Posted on Annarbor.com;
Sent home from the Ann Arbor public schools using either "backpack mail" or the US Postal Service; and/or
Communicated through AAPS mail, email, or phone distribution mechanisms (e.g., posted in school newsletters).
Comments received at public feedback sessions will be summarized and presented to the AAPS Board of Education along with the SHEAC recommendations.
Recommendation to AAPS Board of Education:
Following review and public comments recommendations will be made to the AAPS Board of Education.
How quickly will they be reviewed?
The SHEAC will make every effort to review resources/materials in a timely manner. Digital access to materials for all SHEAC members will be most efficient. If this is not possible, the provision of multiple copies of written materials, CDs and videos will help us to review materials more quickly.
The following criteria are used by the Ann Arbor Public Schools Sexual Health Education Advisory Committee (AAPS SHEAC) to identify teaching resources (e.g., presentations, videos, written materials, etc) that can contribute to the teaching of sexual health education in a manner that is consistent with the educational philosophy of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, current best practices in sexual health education, and Michigan state laws on sexual health education. Our curriculum is designed to emphasize the benefits of abstinence, while providing accurate, appropriate information about risk reduction strategies in a manner that is accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all students. The committee recognizes that parents/guardians are the primary sexual health educators of their children, particularly with regard to the teaching of values and religious beliefs associated with sexual activity.
1. Provides medically accurate information
2. Provides scientifically accurate information.
3. Information is current.
4. Teaches information and skills, not values.
5. Is respectful of, but not derived from, religious teachings.
6. Uses teaching methods and materials that are appropriate to the age of the target audience.
7. Uses teaching methods and materials that are appropriate to the developmental abilities of the target audience.
8. Approaches sexuality in a manner that is both respectful and engaging of the target audience (e.g., uses an appropriate level of seriousness/humor, neither portraying sexuality too lightly nor in a frightening fear-based manner).
9. Provides information about the psychological and physical risks of sexual activity without presenting human sexuality in an overall negative light.
10. Is respectful of and applies to all students and does not engender shame/pass judgment/ alienate regardless of whether a student is abstinent, sexually active, or previously sexually active and currently abstaining.
11. Is respectful of and applies to all students and does not engender shame/pass judgment/ alienate regardless of a student's sexual orientation or gender identity.
12. Is consistent with the Ann Arbor Public Schools Non-Discrimination policy which states that "no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity available in any school on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, political belief, age, national origin, linguistic and language differences, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, height, weight, marital or familial status, or disability" and extends this policy to include gender identification.
13. Is of high quality. Depending on the type of resource the relevant quality criteria will vary. Some examples of quality include: Materials should incorporate sound theories of behavior change and utilize instructional methods that foster functional knowledge and skill development. Materials should be appealing and engaging (e.g., up-to-date, quality graphics). Messages should be clear and consistent.