Texas Education Board Adds Optional Bible Lessons to Elementary School Curriculum
In a controversial move for parents of elementary students, the Texas State Board of Education voted to update its public school curricula to incorporate optional content from the Christian Bible for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The effort is part of a broader attempt by several Republican state legislatures to embed Christian content in school systems throughout the United States.
The Texas Board decision was made following a series of discussions where educators, parents, and advocacy groups had the opportunity to weigh in. The Board ultimately approved the optional curriculum with an 8-7 vote.
The "Bluebonnet" Learning Curriculum
The Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum incorporates lessons from the Christian Bible in reading, language arts, and math. As an incentive to adopt the optional curriculum, schools that submit will receive additional funding.
Supporters of the curriculum argue that it offers important moral lessons and historical knowledge, giving students a robust and well-rounded education. They argue these stories are not meant to indoctrinate children but instead offer a moral side to the education they already receive.
For example, a kindergarten lesson about helping neighbors incorporates "the Golden Rule" found in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, two books in the New Testament of the Bible.
Potential Violation of Establishment Clause
Opponents of the initiative responded with outrage, arguing that it violates the First Amendment. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from endorsing one religion over another. Historically, this has meant that public schools cannot teach Biblical stories in any way that promotes one religion over another.
While comparative religion classes are fairly common in U.S. high schools, for example, these courses cannot only teach about one religion to the exclusion of others, or present them as truths rather than religious beliefs. The Bluebonnet curriculum does not incorporate stories from the Koran, Baghavad Gita, or other scriptures of major religions.
Similar Efforts Nationwide
The Texas Board decision is not isolated. Similar attempts to pass initiatives to revise school curricula to include Christian materials are popping up all across the country, some of them facing significant legal challenges. Oklahoma State officials, for instance, are trying to incorporate Biblical content into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12. The initiative there resulted in lawsuits from concerned parents and advocacy groups which argue, among other issues, that the state cannot spend public funds on Christian materials.
It is not clear that courts will allow any of these measures to stand. For example, a federal court recently struck down a Louisiana law mandating that public classrooms display The Ten Commandments. There, the judge held that the law had an overtly religious purpose and rejected claims that The Ten Commandments have the same historical significance to American culture as foundational U.S. documents like the Constitution. Nonetheless, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has promised to help pass legislation requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments, following Louisiana's lead.
As for the Texas Board of Education vote, the approved version of the curriculum, slightly revised after it received public feedback, will be available to schools and educators in August 2025, just in time for the 2025-2026 school year. For now, at least.
Related Reading:
- What Types of Religious Activities Are Allowed in Public Schools? (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law Sparks Legal Battle (FindLaw's Courtside)
- Religion at School (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
