Texas Board Approves Bible-Based Elective Curriculum in Schools

Democratic-aligned South Asian rights group warns move ‘undermines religious freedom’

Ian M. JattiChristian Post reporter Friday, November 22, 2024

The Texas State Board of Education voted Friday to approve a new curriculum that will introduce elective Bible studies in elementary schools. The move puts the Lone Star State in line with other Republican-led states that are pushing for greater religious presence in public classrooms.

The curriculum, which districts can choose to adopt, aims to incorporate biblical teachings into a variety of subjects, especially reading and language arts, for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. While districts can choose whether to implement the lessons, those that choose to do so will receive additional state funding.

Friday’s final vote followed a preliminary vote earlier this week in which 15 board members unanimously supported Bluebonnet Learning, a curriculum proposed earlier this year by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for use in K-5 public school classrooms.

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Notably, three Republicans, including board member Pam Little (R-Fairview), a self-described Christian conservative, voted with four Democratic board members against the curriculum. Earlier this month, Little was re-elected to another two-year term on the Republican-led panel.

Instructional materials created by the State Education Agency under a law passed in 2023 by the Republican-controlled state Legislature were made public this spring, and Texas officials are preparing to implement them in the coming school year.

Materials may be distributed as early as the next academic year.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who supported the curriculum, praised the initiative as a way to improve students’ understanding of American history and culture. Proponents argue that biblical references are deeply rooted in the nation’s core and that their inclusion will improve students’ education by helping them better understand literature, history and even modern expressions derived from the Bible.

Keisha Russell, senior counsel for the religious advocacy group First Liberty Institute, praised the council’s vote.

“Supreme Court precedent has repeatedly affirmed that the Bible is appropriate for teaching history, literature, poetry, music, art, government, social customs, values ​​and behavioral sciences,” she said. “We fully support the decision of the Texas State Board of Education.”

However, this decision caused significant opposition. Critics argue that the curriculum is primarily focused on Christian teachings and may alienate students from different religious or non-religious backgrounds.

More than 100 people testified during a public meeting earlier this week in Austin, making emotional arguments on both sides. Supporters emphasized the historical significance of the Bible, while opponents warned of the risks of religious indoctrination in public schools.

Among the groups that have spoken out against the curriculum is South Asian Americans for Voter Empowerment of Texas (SAAVETX), which argues that the changes “risk turning our public schools into platforms for promoting a single religious viewpoint, undermining the diversity that makes Texas strong.” »

According to the advocacy platform SAAVETX, the inclusion of a biblical curriculum “undermines religious freedom and ignores the cultural diversity of Texas.” The group offers supporters a sample letter to send to lawmakers saying the curriculum “overwhelmingly focuses on Christianity and does not adequately address the history and contributions of other religious groups, including South Asians.”

SAAVETX, which represents Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and other South Asian faith traditions, also offers guidance on “coping with post-election trauma for South Asians” following Donald Trump’s Nov. 5 victory. The group is also affiliated with ActBlue, a Democratic Party donor. platform.

While recognizing freedom of religion as a key component of a “comprehensive education,” SAAVETX also states that “no curriculum should impose religious beliefs or promote the teachings of a single faith.”

CP reached out to SAAVETX for comment on Friday following the final board vote. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Texas is home to the second largest Indian American population in the US, with Hindus alone numbering approximately 740,000 statewide, representing approximately 4% of the state’s population.

Despite growing religious demographic shifts in Texas, the state’s new curriculum looks set to stick, at least in the short term, following similar moves in other Republican-led states.

In Oklahoma, the state education chief has ordered a Bible to be placed in every classroom, and in Louisiana, an effort is underway to place the Ten Commandments in all public schools starting next year.