A meeting of the State Board of Education this week could have long-term ramifications both in the Lone Star State and nationally.
This week’s meeting is the culmination of a multi-month process that began in May. The SBOE seeks to update educational standards for English, Math, and Spanish. The SBOE undertakes these reviews across various subject areas about once per decade.
This week’s meeting has drawn special scrutiny due the fact that some of the English lessons in the new educational materials use the Bible as one of the source texts. For example, the kindergarten curriculum discusses the Golden Rule and the story of the Good Samaritan.
Supporters believe the Bible is a foundational text to understand both history and literature. In fact, a poll by the Texas Public Policy Foundation earlier this year found that a majority of Texans support the use of historical religious texts in the K-12 curriculum.
Conservative group Grassroots America: We the People explained in an email:
Biblical literacy – necessary for understanding world history and the founding of our nation. Bluebonnet Learning contains biblical stories and Psalms. It also shares stories or character traits of historical heroes, many of whom attributed their actions or success to God and their faith in Him. Any educator who values a true education (and our Supreme Court) agrees that the Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities. The teacher guides do an excellent job of helping any teachers who are not familiar with the Bible understand how to lead these lessons, giving them historical context and the reason a particular lesson uses a biblical text.
NOTE: Bluebonnet Learning does not proselytize. Predictably, biblical literacy received the most heat at the September SBOE hearing. Naysayers claimed it is unconstitutional or offensive to include biblical characters or bible passages in a public school. They are wrong and we must stand up to defend biblical literacy.
Not all agree with the proposed changes, however.
The Texas Freedom Network, a far-left organization founded by former Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards, held a press conference prior to the meeting claiming that the proposed changes would turn public schools “into Sunday schools.”
We’re at the SBOE demanding that our kids have access to a bias-free, truthful education. Public schools are NOT Sunday schools…
Join us in our movement: https://t.co/VxWY8p6bWJ pic.twitter.com/Pz3PwvZade
— Texas Freedom Network (@TFN) November 18, 2024
The SBOE meets this week in Austin. A preliminary vote is expected on Monday or Tuesday, with a final vote on Friday.
Texans can contact their representatives on the State Board of Education or travel to Austin to testify in person.
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