Texas Board of Education votes to approve Bible curriculum for elementary schools

The Texas Board of Education narrowly voted Friday to allow the use of Bible curriculum in elementary schools.

The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by elected Republicans, is not mandatory for schools, but if it does, they will receive additional funding. The materials could appear in classrooms as early as the next school year.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott expressed support for the lesson plans, which were provided by the state education agency, which oversees more than 5 million students in Texas public schools.

The vote passed with a score of 8-7.

Stacey Childs, an attorney and Democrat who voted against the Bible study at Friday’s hearing, said she believes it will be challenged in court.

“So if just those facts, if a parent or teacher who didn’t feel comfortable teaching this brings it to court, I believe they will be successful,” she said. “And in my conscience, in defense of my law license, I simply do not believe these materials reflect the experiences and nuances of Texas students.”

Texas’ new curriculum follows efforts by Republicans in neighboring states to bring a greater presence of religion in public schools. In Oklahoma, the state education superintendent has ordered a copy of the Bible in every classroom, and Louisiana wants the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms in the state starting next year.

With the new curriculum, Texas will be the first state to introduce Bible classes in schools in this way, according to Matthew Patrick Shaw, an assistant professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University.

The Texas Education Agency, which oversees public education for students across the state, created its educational materials after a law passed in 2023 by the GOP-controlled Legislature required the agency to do so. The lesson plans were released this spring.

The material draws on lessons from Christianity more than any other religion in proposed reading and language arts modules for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, which critics say will alienate students of different faiths and potentially violate the First Amendment.

More than 100 people testified at a board meeting this week that stirred emotions among parents, teachers and advocates. Proponents of the curriculum argued that the Bible was a key element of American history and its teaching would enrich student learning.

“They say there are about 300 everyday phrases that actually come from the Bible,” said Mary Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, an advocacy group. “So it will be helpful for students to understand many of these references that are in the literature and be able to understand them.”