Ten members of Texas’ congressional delegation are urging the State Board of Education to resist the efforts of Islamic organizations attempting to influence the revision of state social studies guidelines in a way that “would diminish American and Texas history.”
U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (R–Flower Mound) led by means of a letter sent to the education board, which alleges that these Islamification efforts are being spearheaded by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by Gov. Greg Abbott.
The letter cites efforts to include provisions that would teach Texas students that Islam had an influence on “our founding, culture, and way of life.” One example included the claim that the Alamo is an Islamic building.
Gill wrote that such claims are meant to introduce “sensationalized or false history” into school curriculum and that it is not the board’s responsibility to “accommodate flagrant lies or cultivate spurious claims.”
Co-signers of Gill’s letter include, U.S. Reps. Chip Roy (R–Austin), Wesley Hunt (R–Houston), Michael Cloud (R–Victoria), Nathanial Moran (R–Tyler), Ronny Jackson (R–Amarillo), Lance Gooden (R–Sunnyvale), Brian Babin (R–Woodville), Keith Self (R–McKinney), and Pat Fallon (R–Frisco).
“The SBOE educational standards must reflect truth and accuracy- for without truth what is the purpose of education?” Gill wrote. “The fact is that Texas was neither founded upon nor influenced by Islamic principles.”
“Islam did not play a role in the founding or development of Texas, and to say so would be an outright lie.”
Gill further urged the board to stand firm and fulfill its duty of protecting American history and not allow it to be “perverted by radical activists.”
“I welcome the opportunity to work with you to ensure Texas’ classrooms are protected from the influence of radical, pro-Islamic, terrorist designated activists,” he continued.
Earlier this week, members of the State Board of Education heard public testimony regarding the proposed social studies standards—called TEKS—including testimony objecting to the content from individuals affiliated with CAIR and the Islamic Schools League of America.
On Friday, the board voted to give initial approval to the proposed social studies standards.
Members also approved the first reading of the new English Language Arts and Reading TEKS, which adds a list of literary works to be taught in each grade level, as required by a new state law. The lists include titles focused on classic literature, U.S. and Texas history, and passages from the Bible.
