The Texas State Board of Education on Friday approved allowing public schools to teach a curriculum that incorporates the Bible from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Texas schools have the option of using the “Bluebonnet” curriculum, which incorporates the teachings of Genesis and Psalms in addition to the New Testament. However, it is not mandatory for schools to implement this curriculum. Additional funding will be provided if your school chooses to adopt the “BlueBonnet” curriculum.
With the narrow 8-7 decision, the board took another step toward integrating Christian teachings into schools nationwide. The proposed curriculum was opposed by four Democrats and three Republicans who voted against implementation.
The board is currently considering using the curriculum in other areas, but the vote was specifically about adding English language arts and reading to the curriculum.
According to a statement released Nov. 15, the American Federation of Teachers of Texas expressed concern about too many references to the Bible in the materials. They argued that these references not only violate the separation of church and state and academic freedom in the classroom, but also undermine the sanctity of the teaching profession.
Use of the curriculum in classrooms will begin from August 2025.
School districts have the autonomy to create their own lesson plans and are not obligated to implement a specific curriculum. However, if you choose to adopt the recommended curriculum, you have the opportunity to receive a $40 per student stipend to purchase learning materials.
Other Republican-majority states in the U.S. have similar efforts.
A federal court has temporarily blocked a Louisiana law requiring all state schools to display the Ten Commandments after a parent group filed a lawsuit.
In June, Oklahoma’s top education official issued a directive requiring public schools to include Bible lessons in the curriculum for students in grades 5-12. As a result, parents, students, and teachers filed a lawsuit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court seeking to block the purchase of Bibles for this purpose.
Recently, Oklahoma’s chief education official, Superintendent Ryan Walters, announced the inclusion of a Bible published by President-elect Donald Trump in some high school classes centered around the United States government. A total of 500 copies of the Bible were purchased by the state for this purpose, along with other important “foundation documents” such as the Declaration of Independence.
According to media reports, Superintendent Walters also required schools to show students a video of him praying for Trump. However, it has been noted that some school districts refuse to comply with this requirement.
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