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MISD expands digital safety curriculum, cites Monique Burr Foundation partnership and parental opt‑in
Summary
District staff outlined an expanded digital safety and anti‑victimization curriculum (grades 4, 6, 9 next year), described parental opt‑in requirements under House Bill 3, and reported survey results—"95% of our surveyed kids said they learned something new."
District staff presented a multi‑layer approach to digital safety lessons that combines character education, media literacy and targeted anti‑victimization modules provided in partnership with Collin County Children's Advocacy Center and the Monique Burr Foundation. The presenter described topics ranging from digital footprints and privacy settings to sextortion, human trafficking awareness and how to seek help.
The presenter emphasized parental rights under House Bill 3: parents must receive lesson descriptions and have 14 days to preview materials before an opt‑in anti‑victimization lesson. The district is currently offering the higher‑level program to 6th and 9th graders with plans to add 4th grade next year; staff said opt‑in rates on some campuses reached about two‑thirds (one campus had ~0.75 opt‑in for 9th grade) and that a March survey found "95% of our surveyed kids said they learned something new." Parents who do not opt in will still receive a foundational lesson covering online safety and privacy taught by teachers and counselors.
Board members asked for opt‑out/opt‑in statistics and noted interest in expanding parent outreach; the presenter said staff will increase advance notice and partner with PTOs and community groups for better turnout.
