The Texas State Board of Education on Friday approved a new Bible-based curriculum for elementary schools by an 8-7 vote.
The curriculum, called “Bluebonnet Learning,” could be introduced as early as August 2025 and will impact English and language arts materials in public school classes from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Teachers can choose whether to choose the new faith-based learning curriculum, and the state is offering participating school districts a $60 per student stipend.
Parents, teachers and rights groups have expressed outrage at the move, with some saying it violates the U.S. Constitution and alienates students and teachers of other faiths.
“The Bluebonnet curriculum flagrantly disregards the religious freedom that has been a cornerstone of our country since its founding. “We’re trying to do that,” said Karo Achar, free speech coordinator for the Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. “We urge school districts to reject this curriculum choice and support public school education that respects the religious diversity and constitutional rights of Texas students.”
Examples of Bible references in the curriculum include a kindergarten lesson on the “Golden Rule,” which teaches the importance of treating others as you would like to be treated, related to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and a third grade lesson on ancient matters. There are units such as Rome and the life of Jesus:
According to the Christian Bible, on the day Jesus was born, his mother Mary and father Joseph were traveling to the city of Bethlehem to register for the census. A census ordered by the Roman government required Roman citizens to be counted and their names registered. This was used in part to help empires know how many people needed to pay taxes, and is a practice continued by governments to this day.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they were told there were no rooms available for rent. They took shelter in a nearby stable (a type of barn where animals are kept). When Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger. A manger is a long wooden or stone box used for horses and cows to eat animal feed. This story of the birth of Jesus in a stable is often featured today as part of the displays put on by Christians each year during the Christmas holidays.
The Christian Bible explains that Jesus taught about God’s love and forgiveness throughout his life and performed many miracles.
In text messages reviewed by the Guardian between former Katy Independent School District teacher Chauncey Davis, who opposed the curriculum, and State Board of Education Commissioner Audrey Young, who voted in favor of the curriculum, Young spoke about Jesus. denied any mention of it. We reviewed the curriculum and doubled her vote.
“You believe that everyone, regardless of their faith, should learn about the Bible,” Davis wrote to Young.
Young answered, “So that they can fully participate in a literate society.”
Neither Young nor the Texas State Board of Education responded to requests for comment.
Davis said she started texting Young after finding her cell phone number on the board’s website. She said she was “shocked” to receive a reply email from her elected representative about the vote, especially during a board meeting.
“I think what surprised me most was her unprofessionalism in thinking through this issue as if it was already a done deal,” Davis said. “She wasn’t ready to hear anything.”
“There’s a clear line between church and state separation, and I think this crosses it,” Davis said. “It’s a slippery slope in public schools, where all students are represented, not just Christian denominations. It deserves to be.”
Brian Henry, a parent and public school advocate from Cypress, Texas, and member of Cypress Families for Public Schools, said the curriculum “shows that Texas has become a laboratory for Christian nationalism. It’s just the latest example.”
Henry added, “What I find particularly insidious is that at a time when the state government is underfunding public schools, it is trying to encourage school districts to adopt its curriculum in exchange for additional funding.” The fact is that they don’t have the necessary funds because they want vouchers.” It is a private Christian school. ”
A spokesperson for the Texas Teachers Association, which is affiliated with the National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, told the Guardian: Christian Sunday School classes in public schools are not what our public education system is intended to offer, and it should not.
“Students who practice religions other than Christianity are effectively discriminated against, as their religion is largely ignored.”
Darcy Hirsch, director of government relations and advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women, the nation’s oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization, said in an interview with the Guardian: It is a key priority for us because it is the basis of our democracy. ”
Hirsch added that she was “devastated” by “the Texas State Board of Education’s decision today to implement a Bible-based curriculum and even a specific interpretation of the Bible.”
