The Texas State Board of Education has approved a proposal that will establish lists of required reading, including Bible verses alongside classic titles, for its K-12 English and literature curriculum. This decision will impact more than 5 million public school students, as Texas emerges as a leader in a national conservative effort to infuse Christian teachings into American classrooms.
Curriculum Changes
The new list of required titles will include a picture-book adaptation of the David and Goliath story for elementary students and Bible passages about Adam and Eve for older students, among other references. The curriculum will also heavily emphasize classic literature and historic American texts such as Abraham Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address.”
Supporters argue that the Bible should be studied as an essential literary text that can help students understand Western history and the founding of the US. Board member Brandon Hall called the proposals a “generational opportunity” to overhaul the state curriculum, stating that the nation was founded as a Christian nation, and Texas is a Christian state.
Concerns and Opposition
However, those who oppose the changes say the mandatory reading list favors Christianity over other religions and violates the separation between church and state. Board member Evelyn Brooks, who voted against the new required texts, believes the move is “unconstitutional.”
Some community members expressed concerns that the plan would infringe on their autonomy as parents to oversee their children’s religious education. Kimmie Fink, a mother of an active-duty military family, told the board that she wants to ensure her children’s constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom rights will remain intact.
The changes will begin going into effect in the 2030-2031 school year. While some proponents of the curriculum changes dispute arguments that children will be explicitly taught religion, saying the Biblical passages and stories will be taught in the context of world history, others fear the emphasis on Christian texts would alienate children who come from other religious backgrounds.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
