At a Jan. 7 workshop meeting, Conroe ISD discussed whether to use the Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum, a new state-approved curriculum scheduled to begin in the fall across the state.
About the program
Bluebonnet Learning was approved by the State Board of Education based on a proposal from the Texas Education Agency following the approval of House Bill 1605 in the 88th Congress of 2023. According to TEA, HB 1605 includes increased funding for approved educational materials. As previously reported by Community Impact, Bluebonnet learning materials received some attention from parents and educators across the state in 2024 due to the frequent references to Christianity and the Bible within the materials. It had attracted criticism and concern.
SBOE District 8 President Audrey Young presented the kindergarten through fifth grade English and language arts curriculum to the CISD Board on January 7th. Young told the board that the curriculum meets all state requirements, addresses community concerns about references to religion and places the materials in the context of lifelong learning.
“For students to become more informed and understand what they are reading as they grow as readers, they must rely on the vocabulary, nuances, and information they learn early on. Things I’m still learning later in life,” Young said.
cost
Bluebonnet Learning products are freely accessible online in digital format. However, hardcopy printouts are not free, according to the TEA website. During the discussion, Mr. Young stated that the price for the student print version of the personal book is $18 per student.
TEA’s website states that school districts can “leverage HB 1605’s new materials funding to offset the cost of hard-copy printed materials needed for classroom instruction.”
what they are saying
“Our teachers are going back to different locations and plans and all the different tools in their toolboxes. Whereas, from my understanding, (Bluebonnet’s) book is a slightly more mobile It’s like we’re back in the package,” board chair Misty Odenweller said.
“In my opinion, it seems like we’re moving back to a hard-copy curriculum. Well, we can offer that not just to students, but to parents and teachers as well,” said Trustee Melissa. Mr Dungan said.
what’s next
District officials said they will continue to work on the curriculum adoption process, including gathering feedback from teachers, and plan to bring it back to the board for a vote in May.
