Category 5 – Subcategories 5.3–5.5

Subcategories 5.3–5.5 require instructional materials to remain educationally appropriate by prohibiting pervasive vulgarity and sexually explicit content, while allowing sexually relevant content only when it is explicitly required by the TEKS.

Subcategories 5.3–5.5

5.3–5.5 state that materials should be educationally valuable and sexually relevant materials should be included only if required in the TEKS.
5.3 says the materials cannot be pervasively vulgar. It’s important to recognize the description of pervasive. That means that vulgarity is common and widespread in the materials. You will need to consider the grade level of the content and whether it appears multiple times in the materials in order to flag for this subcategory.
5.4 prohibits sexually explicit content and provides a variety of ways it could appear in materials. It also states it has to be “patently offensive.” Read TPC §43.21(a)(4) attentively to ensure you understand the meaning of the phrase.
5.5 again states there should be no sexually relevant material and is similar to 5.4, with the caveat that if the sexual content addresses a requirement in the TEKS, then it would be acceptable.