AUSTIN, Texas – Public schools in Texas could use Bible teaching in classrooms as an option for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, under a proposal that generated hours of testimony Monday and is likely to Republican-led initiatives in other states to introduce more religious instruction. classes.
Teachers and parents offered strong testimony for and against the curriculum plan at a meeting of the Texas State Board of Education, which is expected to take a final vote on the measure this week.
The curriculum – designed by the state’s public education agency – would allow Bible teachings such as the Golden Rule and lessons from books such as Genesis to be taught in classrooms. Under the plan, it would be optional for schools to adopt the curriculum, although they would receive additional funding if they did.
Some complained that the proposal goes against the mission of the public school.
“This curriculum does not meet the standard of honesty and secularism,” said educator Megan Tessler. “Public schools are supposed to educate, not indoctrinate.”
Others strongly supported the idea.
“Parents and teachers want a return to excellence,” Cindy Asmussen, one of the people who gave evidence, told the panel. “The stories and concepts in the Bible have been common for hundreds of years,” and that, he said, is a fundamental part of classical learning.
Education officials are expected to vote Friday on whether public schools would have the option to teach the curriculum.
The proposal to introduce religious instruction in Texas public schools reflects a similar trend in other parts of the country. In Oklahoma, state officials are trying to include the Bible in public school lesson plans. In Louisiana, a federal judge recently struck down a requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public room.
Educators, parents and advocates weighed in at the State Board of Education’s final meeting of the year, where many opponents argued that the proposal’s emphasis on Christian teaching would make students out of other religions. Those in favor said it would give students a more complete educational foundation.
Religious experts and the Texas Freedom Network – a left-wing group that oversees the state board of education – said the curriculum proposal focuses too much on Christianity and ignores the history of slavery.
The program was designed this year by the Texas Education Agency after a law was passed that mandated it create its own free textbook. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has publicly supported the new products.
Republican lawmakers in Texas have also proposed displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and are likely to return to the issue next year.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generational artificial intelligence engine. The translation was reviewed by a Telemundo Digital editor.
2024-11-19 16:01:00
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Guest 1:
1. As a teacher, how do you think the introduction of Bible teachings in public schools could impact students from various religious backgrounds?
2. In what ways do you believe the proposed curriculum aligns with the mission of public education, and in what ways does it deviate from that mission?
3. How do you envision the implementation of this curriculum, given that it’s optional for schools to adopt but could receive additional funding if they do?
Guest 2:
1. As a parent, what factors would you consider when deciding whether or not to support the inclusion of Bible teachings in your child’s public school curriculum?
2. Do you think the emphasis on classical learning justifies the inclusion of religious texts like the Bible in public schools, or does it risk promoting a particular religious viewpoint?
3. Would you like to see more efforts to include diverse perspectives and histories in the context of educational curricula, and if so, how could that be accomplished without compromising academic standards?
