Denton ISD is not considering adopting a controversial new elementary school curriculum.
Bluebonnet Learning is a curriculum developed by the Texas Education Agency and approved by eight of the 15 members of the state Board of Education last November.
The program, written for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, has drawn criticism for its heavy use of Biblical teachings. Rep. Evelyn Brooks of the 14th District State Board, which covers Denton County, was one of three Republicans on the state board to vote against the curriculum, along with four Democrats on the state board. Texas school districts that adopt Bluebonnet Learning can receive $60 per student for adopting the curriculum. This curriculum was the first open educational resource textbook published by TEA since the passage of House Bill 1609, which requires TEA to provide free and available open resource materials to major grades.
“We received several questions about bluebonnets and we would like to share that our curriculum team has responded that Denton ISD is not considering bluebonnets at this time,” Denton ISD Superintendent Susannah Obara said. said.
The superintendent touched on curriculum after speakers brought it up at the last school board meeting of 2024. Obara said the district responded to questions from parents about the curriculum. During the 2024 school year, Denton ISD reported that at least 57 languages in addition to English were spoken among the 33,335 students attending the district’s campuses. The numbers reveal the cultural and religious pluralism in Denton ISD classrooms.
The chair, who is openly Jewish, called on elected leaders and administrators to consider the possible negative impacts of the curriculum and said Christmas-related decorations were rampant in the district’s central services building. I pointed out what I was doing.
“I urge you to stand apart from the forces that force teachers to indoctrinate rather than teach and reject the bluebonnet curriculum,” she said. “During this holiday season, we want you to think about others. A school district’s culture should reflect the entire community it serves.”
Critics object to the curriculum for a variety of reasons, including concerns that it is part of a state-led push to use Texas public schools to promote Christian nationalism. Ta. Parents who opposed the curriculum argued that the flaws were in the way slavery and racism were glossed over in history textbooks. Americans for the Separation of Church and State says the curriculum allows states to reach young and captive audiences with Christ, just as Americans are opting out of church attendance and membership in record numbers. He said that it has become possible to promote the religion.
Last November, Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republican lawmakers said incorporating Christian and Jewish content into the curriculum would educate Texas students about the impact religion has on cultural and legal landscapes. said.
“The passage of Bluebonnet Learning is an important step forward in taking students back to the basics of education and providing the best education in the nation,” Abbott said. “These innovative materials are available for free and voluntary use by schools and teachers.”
Parents and residents can review the curriculum recommended by district administrators for school board approval.
