The Texas State Board of Education is one step closer to dampening secularism in public schools.
Bluebonnet Learning, a controversial new curriculum that uses stories from the Bible in far-fetched connections to elementary learning, stands a solid chance of being approved by the Texas Board of Education in a final vote Friday.
“The board’s vote represents a troubling attempt to turn public schools into Sunday schools that promote a narrow religious perspective, undermining the freedom of families to direct the religious education of their own children,” said Carisa Lopez, deputy director of Texas Freedom Network, in a press release.
A tight 8-7 preliminary vote foreshadows potential implementation as early as the 2025–26 school year. A key voter on the board is Leslie Recine, a Republican from Pantego. Recine was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott after Democrat Aicha Davis stepped down to successfully run for the Texas House of Representatives. Abbott chose to appoint Recine over the incoming Tiffany Clark, a Democrat, who ran uncontested in the race to represent the 13th district. Recine is merely filling the seat before Clark takes over in January, but she'll be on the board when this particular vote is taken.
“I think that would have been the swing vote that was needed,” said Clark in an interview with The Texas Tribune. “It would have been 8-7 in the other way.” Recine did not reply to our requests for comment.
The collection of state-authored elementary learning materials was met with immediate criticism for its emphasis on Christianity. The texts use Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to teach the golden rule to kindergartners. Fifth graders read apostolic texts in a lesson on art history.
“Our public schools were created to teach facts to children of all religions or no religion, not to indoctrinate students in the teachings of selected religions,” said a press release from the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA). “This is consistent with the separation of church and state principle under which our country has operated since its beginning.”
Since the textbook drafts were first published in May, experts deemed the lessons singular in their focus and age-inappropriate.
“Quick short references to other religions do not lopside emphasis on Christianity,” said Mark Chancey, a professor of religious studies at SMU.
Chancey emphasized that biblical lessons aimed at children utilize their “literalistic fashion” to “undermine parents’ choice.”
Proponents of Bluebonnet highlight the historical importance of the Bible.
“We hope that the SBOE solidifies this vote on Friday,” said Texas Values in a press release. “The Bible has had a colossal impact on the Western world in art, history, and literature that cannot be ignored. Banning the Bible in the classroom would not just deny students their liberty but also take away an opportunity for a well-rounded education.”
Jonathan Covey, a representative of Texas Values, says arguments of Christian emphasis are irrelevant.
“There is nothing that requires equal time or equal representation to other sects,” Covey told the Observer.
The vote in Texas follows a similar controversy in Oklahoma after the state superintendent, Ryan Walters, required Bibles in all public school classrooms.
“We are focused on ensuring we get Bibles available in every classroom in our state as quickly as we can,” said Walters in a press release. “I will take every step possible to ensure Oklahoma students have the resources they need to fully understand American history. By acting now, Oklahoma is leading the country on a path toward greater focus on academic excellence by providing critical historical, cultural, and literary context for our students. We are not going to change our history, and the Bible is a major part of that.”
Although adoption of Bluebonnet Learning by school districts is optional, there are strong financial incentives. Districts will receive $60 per student if they use the new materials.“Schools are deliberately underfunded,” Clay Robison of the TSTA told the Observer. “They have to bribe schools just to get it in.”
