Texas Passes Controversial Religious Lesson Plan in Public School

In a stunning and controversial move, the Texas State Board of Education voted narrowly on Friday to adopt a Bible-based curriculum for elementary schools across the state. This decision passed with a tight 8-7 vote.

While the curriculum is optional for schools to implement, there’s a catch: if schools choose to adopt it, they’ll receive additional funding. So, don’t be surprised if you start seeing Bible-based lessons in classrooms as early as next school year.

What Does This Curriculum Look Like?

This new curriculum, crafted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), crafted lessons that largely draw from Christian teachings. Supporters argue that the Bible is a foundational piece of American history, and understanding its influence is crucial for students.

Mary Castle, a spokesperson for Texas Values, a conservative group backing the curriculum, highlighted how knowing these Biblical references could enrich students’ understanding of literature and history. “Students will benefit from being able to understand a lot of these references that are in literature,” she said.

Legal and Social Backlash

One of the most vocal opponents of the curriculum was Staci Childs, an attorney on the State Board of Education, who raised concerns about the potential legal challenges this could face. Childs warned that the materials could be contested in court, especially if parents or teachers uncomfortable with the curriculum decide to take action. She argued that the curriculum doesn’t reflect the diverse experiences of Texas students and could alienate those from different religious backgrounds.

“If a parent or a teacher who didn’t feel comfortable teaching this were to bring this up to a court, I believe they would be successful,” Childs stated after the vote. "In my good conscience, I just do not feel that these materials are yet reflective of the experiences and the nuance of Texas students."