The Texas State Board of Education is poised to approve new state-developed textbooks this week after an initial vote on Nov. 19. Supporters of the curriculum argue that it provides students with rigorous, age-appropriate content and helps close the achievement gap, but critics argue that Bible references are frequently used in the materials. Mentioning it can lead to proselytism and isolate students with different religious beliefs.
The 15-member commission gave preliminary approval to the state textbook, known as Bluebonnet Learning, on Nov. 19 by an 8-7 vote. The Texas Education Agency and about 20 other publishers had until 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 to revise their proposed materials. In response to concerns from board members and the public. The board is scheduled to take a final vote on Nov. 22.
How we got here
The state-developed materials include textbooks and lesson plans for elementary school reading and language arts, kindergarten through eighth grade math, and Algebra 1. They were released under House Bill 1605, a 2023 law that overhauls Texas public school curriculum standards.
Use of state-approved materials is completely voluntary, but districts that do so will receive up to $60 per student for purchasing and printing them. School districts currently receive about $171 per student to purchase textbooks, according to the TEA.
Schools may begin using materials approved by the SBOE during the 2025-26 school year.
zoom in
Several Texas school districts, including Temple ISD, are piloting TEA’s elementary-level materials starting in 2021. TISD teachers and district administrators traveled to Austin on Nov. 18 to testify in support of the state curriculum.
“The curriculum is inclusive for all diverse learners, flexible to accommodate a variety of teacher expertise, and inclusive for families,” Kindergarten teacher Jomeka Gray told the board. “I am confident that my students will continue to do well as they progress through their academic journeys.”
Lisa Adams, TISD’s assistant superintendent, said students on campuses that implemented the national textbooks began “outperforming grade-level students” within the first few months of the pilot program.
“They have made a difference for the students and teachers at TISD, and we would like them to be added to the (approval) list so they can continue to be an option,” Adams said.
Ahead of the primary vote, SBOE member Kevin Ellis (R-Lufkin) said Bluebonnet’s materials would give school districts more options.
“I want to know: Is (the curriculum) teaching kids to read? That’s the most important thing to me,” Ellis said on Nov. 19. It’s perfect for our district. ”
the other side
Board member Stacey Childs (D-Houston) said she thinks the state’s reading material is generally of high quality, but doesn’t want to support it because it has Bible stories woven throughout.
“I haven’t heard enough yet to feel comfortable about how to withstand an Establishment Clause claim if it were brought forward, if the state school board was sued or the school board president was sued. ” Childs said.
The Establishment Clause is a provision in the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing a religion.
Others testified that parents should be able to teach their children about religion without interference from public schools, or not at all.
“I’m a Christian and I believe religion is part of our culture, but we don’t have a religion in our country. We’re unique in that,” said Families, a public education advocacy group. said Mary Rowe of Engaged for Effective Education. “I don’t think our school district should imply or overtly try to impress upon young, impressionable children that there is a national religion (in Texas).”
Frequent references to the Bible could alienate non-Christian students, some said Nov. 18, who argued other major religions were not equally portrayed.
Abby Burnham, a Jewish parent, said she faced “repeated attempts to promote Christian ideology” in Texas public schools as a child.
“I vividly remember when I expressed my discomfort as a student and my teacher told me, ‘Get used to it, that’s the world I live in,'” Burnham said. “That moment stuck with me, not because it reflected the equity and diversity that I believe in, but because it made me feel like I didn’t belong.”
TEA Administrator Mike Moras said in remarks at the SBOE on November 20 that, although he is not a legal expert, he does not believe that national textbooks violate the Establishment Clause.
“I have never seen a Bluebonnet (material) that uses only Christian religious references,” Moras told board members. “All such claims are false.”
