On Tuesday, the Texas State Board of Education advanced a Bible-focused curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade, marking one of the latest Republican-led efforts to introduce more religious content into U.S. classrooms. The curriculum, known as the “Bluebonnet” textbook, would be optional for schools, with additional funding provided to those that adopt it.
The proposal, developed by the state’s public education agency, includes teachings from the Bible, such as the Golden Rule and lessons from books like Genesis. The board’s vote followed hours of testimony from teachers and parents earlier this week. A final decision on the measure is expected on Friday.
Educators, parents, and advocates voiced their opinions Monday during the State Board of Education’s final meeting of the year. Opponents argued that the proposal’s focus on Christian teachings could marginalize students from other faiths, while supporters contended that it would provide students with a more well-rounded educational experience.
Educator Megan Tessler testified on Monday, claiming that the plan conflicts with the mission of public schools, by stating, “This curriculum fails to meet the standard of an honest, secular one. Public schools are meant to educate, not indoctrinate.”
Religious scholars and the Texas Freedom Network, a progressive advocacy group that oversees the state school board, have criticized the curriculum proposal for its strong emphasis on Christianity and for avoiding tackling the history of slavery.
The Texas Education Agency developed the program earlier this year following a law mandating the creation of a free textbook, with support from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Republican lawmakers have also proposed displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, an issue expected to resurface next year. These efforts to introduce religious teachings in Texas public schools reflect a broader national trend, which has faced legal challenges in several states.
For example, in Oklahoma, state officials’ efforts to include the Bible in public school curricula for grades 5-12 have sparked legal opposition. A lawsuit filed by parents, teachers, and others seeks to block the plan and prevent $3 million in public funds from being used to purchase Bibles.
Meanwhile, in Louisiana, a federal judge recently struck down a law requiring the full display of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. The judge ruled the law had an “overtly religious” intent and rejected claims that the Ten Commandments could be mandated for their historical relevance, noting that no similar requirement exists for foundational documents like the Constitution or the Bill of Rights.
