Texas State Board of Education Approves Bible-Infused Curriculum for K-5 Reading

On Friday, the Texas State Board of Education gave its approval to a Bible-infused curriculum, which has drawn controversy, for public school students from kindergarten through fifth grade. While Texas schools are not mandated to implement the “BlueBonnet” curriculum, which incorporates lessons from the books of Genesis and Psalms, along with the New Testament, they will qualify for additional funding if they choose to adopt it. The board’s approval, decided by a narrow vote of 8 to 7, represents the most recent action by Republicans aimed at integrating Christian teachings into schools across the nation. Four Democrats and three Republicans cast votes opposing the curriculum’s adoption. This vote specifically concerned the inclusion of the curriculum in English Language Arts and Reading, though the board is evaluating its potential application in other subject areas. In a written statement issued on 15 November, the Texas American Federation of Teachers stated, “The materials contain an unwelcome and unnecessary quantity of Bible references.” The organization further asserted, “Not only do these materials violate the separation of church and state and the academic freedom of our classroom, but also the sanctity of the teaching profession.” Implementation of the curriculum in classrooms is scheduled to begin in August 2025. While school districts retain the autonomy to develop their own lesson plans and are not compelled to adopt this curriculum, those that do will be eligible for a funding incentive of $40 per student for the purchase of learning materials. Comparable initiatives are underway in other US states predominantly controlled by Republicans. For instance, in Louisiana, a federal court has temporarily halted a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all state schools, following legal action initiated by a parent group. In June, leading education officials in Oklahoma directed public schools to integrate Bible lessons into instruction for students in grades five through twelve. A lawsuit has been filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court by parents, students, and teachers seeking to prevent Bible purchases. More recently, Oklahoma’s chief education official, Superintendent Ryan Walters, declared that the state had acquired 500 copies of the Bible published by President-elect Donald Trump for certain high school courses concentrating on the US government. He stated that these books also contained other “foundational documents” for the nation, specifically mentioning the Declaration of Independence. Superintendent Walters has additionally mandated that schools present students with a video featuring him praying for Trump; however, some school districts declined to comply, as reported by media. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.