Mandated by Texas Education Code §28.004, the SHAC provides a structured process for parents and community members to influence health education curriculum and wellness policies.
The SHAC operates with three core goals:
- Ensuring that health instruction—particularly sensitive topics like human sexuality—aligns with the moral and ethical standards of the local community.
- Providing recommendations to the school board on policies, instructional materials, and strategies to improve student health.
- Promoting the link between student health and academic performance, often utilizing the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
NOTE: Recent legislative updates have increased transparency requirements for SHACs:
- Meetings: Must meet at least four times per year.
- Transparency: Meetings must be open to the public. Districts are often required to post agendas and minutes, and recent laws mandate the recording of audio or video of meetings where curriculum is discussed.
To ensure your District is in alignment with previous and current updates on SHAC, go to this link to review the overview, bylaws, duties & responsibilities, meetings, membership, and a wellness health-related plan.
Start 2026 Off By Supporting Your Staff w/ TxSP!
Annual onboarding sessions regarding the Texas School Procedures website help ensure that district staff across all roles apply consistent, legally compliant, and research‑based practices when serving students and supporting campuses. Did you know that TxSP has over 3500 protocols and documents?
Here are some reasons, if you have not scheduled your onboarding session/s this year, that you should.
- Regular onboarding keeps district leaders, campus administrators, counselors, nurses, C&I staff, special programs coordinators, and HR aligned on the district’s mission, policies, and procedures.
- Ongoing onboarding helps staff understand current expectations related to student rights, special education, Section 504, discipline, confidentiality, and employment practices, thereby reducing legal risk and protecting both students and employees.
- Regular onboarding is an efficient way to introduce and reinforce instructional, counseling, health, and operational strategies grounded in current research.
- When staff learn evidence-based approaches together—such as MTSS frameworks, trauma-informed practices, and effective health and wellness protocols—they are more likely to implement them with fidelity throughout the district.
- Personnel who coordinate services for students receiving special education, bilingual/ESL, gifted, or other targeted supports require consistent training to ensure that services align with legal requirements and best practices.
- For HR departments, regular onboarding establishes a clear, repeatable structure for integrating new staff into the district’s culture and expectations.
- High-quality onboarding, tied to current law and research-based practices, improves staff confidence, reduces turnover, and supports a positive and professional work environment.
