Texas’ education board voted Friday to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools, joining other Republican-led states pushing an optional new curriculum that could test boundaries between religion and public classrooms in the U.S.
The Vote
The material adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which elected Republicans to control it, passed in an 8-7 final vote over criticism that the lessons would proselytize to young learners and alienate students of faiths other than Christianity. Supporters argued that the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich lessons.
What the Material Says
Schools are not required to use the material, but those that do would receive extra funding from the state. The newly approved kindergarten materials, for example, instruct teachers to discuss the Golden Rule using lessons from the Bible. The lesson also explains that the Bible is “a collection of ancient texts” and that its different parts are “the core books of the Jewish and Christian religions.”
Creating Bible-Infused Lessons
The Texas Education Agency created its own instruction materials after a law passed in 2023 by the GOP-controlled Legislature required the agency to do so. The lesson plans were publicly released this spring.
Criticism and Concerns
Religious scholars who have reviewed the lesson plans say the curriculum appears to try to place an outsized emphasis on the Bible. Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, said children who would read the material are “simply too young to tell the difference between what is a faith claim and what is a matter of fact.”
A Narrow Vote
The vote was narrow, with more than 100 people testifying at a board meeting this week. Democrat Rebecca Bell-Metereau said the inclusion of religions in addition to Christianity in the materials was not an “adequate attempt to change that bias.” Republican Leslie Recine, who was appointed to the board just weeks ago, voted in favor of the curriculum.
Bringing Religion into Schools
Texas’ plans to implement Biblical teachings in public school lesson plans is the latest effort by Republican-controlled states to bring religion into the classroom. In Louisiana, a federal judge blocked a law to place the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms. In Oklahoma, the state’s top education official has tried incorporating the Bible into lesson plans for children in fifth through 12th grades.
Conclusion
The Texas education board’s decision to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the boundaries between religion and public classrooms. While supporters argue that the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich lessons, critics worry that the lessons will proselytize to young learners and alienate students of faiths other than Christianity.
FAQs
Q: What does the new curriculum entail?
A: The curriculum includes lesson plans that discuss the Bible and its relevance to American history and culture.
Q: Are schools required to use the material?
A: No, schools are not required to use the material, but those that do would receive extra funding from the state.
Q: What are the concerns about the curriculum?
A: Critics argue that the curriculum will proselytize to young learners and alienate students of faiths other than Christianity, and that it will not be age-appropriate or subject matter appropriate.
Q: What is the significance of this decision?
A: The decision is significant because it marks the first time a state has introduced Bible lessons in schools in this manner, and it highlights the ongoing debate about the role of religion in public education.
