Roundup: Curriculum in state education policy

This article is part of a biweekly roundup that outlines curriculum-related state education policy news.

Here's a list of some of the most notable bills, listed by topic, along with the most recent updates:

Colorado lawmakers passed a bill that would update sexual education requirements for school districts that have such curriculum. House Bill 1032 would add instruction on topics including sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptive methods, and would prohibit excluding experiences from the LGBT community and "using shame-based or stigmatizing language or instructional tools."
On April 23, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill that requires schools that have a sex education curriculum to include instruction on consent. Parents will be notified if their child is to get sex education, and they will have the option to opt out.
In Texas, the state Senate on May 3 passed a bill that focuses on upping transparency into creating and implementing the human sexuality curriculum that's adopted in school districts.

A Florida voucher bill, which would allow more students to use taxpayer dollars to attend private schools, passed through the legislature and was sent to the governor's desk. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a school choice supporter, is expected to sign the measure into law.
After gaining the General Assembly's approval, a controversial voucher bill in Tennessee — which would create education savings accounts, giving families public money for private schooling if they take their child out of their local school district — was sent to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for a signature. Lee is expected to sign the bill, which has received approval from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
In Pennsylvania, the House Education Committee approved in early May a proposed increase in funds for a voucher program, which pays tuition at private and religious schools.

A California state assemblyman proposed a bill that would ban animal dissection, a common practice within science or biology classes, from all public and private K-12 schools. The bill applies to both vertebrate and invertebrate animals.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 108, which will phase in a required computer science curriculum for middle and high schools. The measure also aims to provide professional development grants for computer science teachers.
The Alabama State House passed a bill that would phase in required computer science courses, as well as funding for related teacher training and certifications.

A bipartisan bill to end state takeovers of local school districts passed through the Ohio House of Representatives May 1. Currently, the state's "academic distress commission" system has the power to take control of failing districts, but under House Bill 154, a community learning centers model would help turn around failing schools.