AUSTIN, Texas — Education advocates are sharply divided as the Texas State Board of Education prepares to vote on rewritten social studies curriculum standards and a new required literature list for K-12 students that includes Bible passages.
The debate played out publicly with dueling demonstrations on Monday. A press conference inside the Barbara Jordan State Office Building in support of the new standards celebrated what they view as religious freedom in public schools. Outside, a symbolic funeral marked what opponents described as its perceived “death.”
“We are bringing the Bible back into schools this week for the first time in 60 years,” board member Brandon Hall (District 11) said during the indoor event, drawing applause.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas education board to vote Friday on proposed social studies standards
Outside, Lisa Endean-Jacob, North Texas organizer for the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, criticized the direction of the board.
“The decisions made behind these walls are trampling on the blessings that our kids long for,” she said.
Conservative board members, including Julie Pickren (District 7), are backing curriculum changes that place more emphasis on American and Texas exceptionalism and the influence Judeo-Christian values had on the country and state’s history.
Pickren argued the standards should incorporate biblical texts for literary purposes.
“The wonderful laws that are being passed, that have been passed, we now must include the Old Testament and New Testament for literary knowledge in our social studies standards,” Pickren said.
A proposed required reading list includes Bible passages, which supporters say would be used for historical context.
Public testimony Monday reflected the divide among Texans.
“This is an attempt to force the beliefs of a few on everyone,” one speaker told the board.
“We have to recognize our Judeo-Christian heritage and its influence on both Texas and American institutions,” said another.
Opponents of the new curriculum argue the it is biased in favor of one religion over others.
“They do this job because they care about kids. And yet they’re passing policies that hurt the very kids that they care about,” Endean-Jacob said.
Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed the proposed standards when asked about the State Board of Education meeting Monday.
“I think Chair Kinsey is taking the board in the right direction. I trust him in making sure the curriculum standards are going to be consistent with where we as Texans really want them to go,” Abbott said.
Votes on both the curriculum and the reading lists by the State Board of Education are expected by Friday.