[The Epoch Times, November 22, 2024](Reported by English Epoch Times reporter Bill Pan/Compiled by Zhong Xinping) The Texas State Board of Education is one step closer to approving the inclusion of Bible stories in reading materials for elementary school elective courses.
On Tuesday, eight of the 15 board members gave preliminary approval to Bluebonnet Learning, developed by the Texas Public Education Agency.course. The final vote is expected to take place on Friday.
Designed for kindergarten through fifth grade, this course uses an interdisciplinary approach, using reading and language arts lessons to reinforce concepts in other subjects such as history. However, since the initial draft was released in May this year, the course has come under scrutiny due to its inclusion of Christian themes.
For example, the curriculum introduces the story of “The Good Samaritan” to kindergarten students as an illustration of the “Golden Rule”; fifth-grade students learn about Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in an art history course. Christian Communion Rite. Critics say these blur the lines between education and mission.
The version approved on November 19 already includes revisions based on public feedback and reduces some of the explicit religious references in the first draft. Still, its critics argue that the curriculum’s excessive focus on Christianity over other religions may violate the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from supporting one religion over another.
Its opponents also question the lack of depth in its history curriculum, which for example links Christianity to the antebellum abolitionist movement without mentioning that some defenders of slavery have tried to use the Bible to defend the institution.
“If this is going to be the standard for Texas students, it has to be fully compliant,” Democratic committee member Staci Childs said Tuesday before the vote. “It needs to be high quality, it has to be up to standard, there can’t be any founding clause issues, there can’t be any lies, and it has to be accurate.”
Supporters of the curriculum argue that references to the Bible and Christianity help students better understand the country’s history and culture.
“To me, these stories are educational and are building literacy,” Republican Commissioner Will Hickman said at Tuesday’s meeting. “There are religious concepts, such as the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule and Moses, that all students should be exposed to.”
Republican Commissioner Tom Maynard said the issue is “less about religion or proselytism than it is about cultural awareness.”
“It’s about literature and exposing students to and understanding literature in a broader context,” Maynard said.
The debate is not entirely centered on whether biblical content should be taught. Patricia Hardy, one of three Republican commissioners who joined Democratic commissioners in voting against the curriculum, stressed that while she was not opposed to including religious references in education, such topics were more appropriate for older students.
“It’s not appropriate for this age group,” Hardy told the committee. “I was a world history teacher. I taught a lot of it in high school, most of it starting in sixth grade, and covering religious issues when studying world cultures was a way to avoid controversy.”
School districts are free to decide whether to adopt a state-written curriculum. School districts that choose to adopt at least part of the curriculum can receive up to $60 in state funding per student, an attractive incentive for financially strapped schools.
“Blue Hat Learning” is the latest in a series of high-profile initiatives by Republican-led state education officials to incorporate Christian teachings into public schools.
In Oklahoma, state officials have proposed incorporating the Bible into curriculum for students in grades 5 through 12 in public schools. The plan is facing a challenge in the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where a coalition of students, parents, religious leaders and activists are trying to block its implementation. The coalition also asked the court to stop the state from spending $3 million purchasing Bibles for the program.
In Louisiana, a new state law requires that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. The law has also prompted a legal challenge, which is currently on hold while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considers the case.
Could you elaborate on the potential for bias in presenting religious narratives as historical context, and how educators can mitigate this bias to ensure academic integrity?
## Bible Stories in Texas Schools: An Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we are joined by two distinguished guests to discuss the controversial decision by the Texas State Board of Education to move forward with approving the inclusion of Bible stories in reading materials for elementary school elective courses. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name], a professor of education specializing in curriculum development, and [Guest 2 Name], a legal scholar with expertise in the Establishment Clause. Welcome to both of you.
**Section 1: Educational Value vs. Religious Indoctrination**
* **[Guest 1]:** The article mentions the use of biblical stories to illustrate concepts like the Golden Rule and the importance of historical context. What are your thoughts on the educational value of incorporating such stories into elementary school curricula, and how can we ensure they are presented in a way that is unbiased and academically sound?
* **[Guest 2]:** The Establishment Clause prohibits government endorsement of any one religion. How do you see the inclusion of Christian themes in a publicly funded education program fitting within this constitutional framework?
**Section 2: Representation and Inclusivity**
* **[Guest 2]:** The article highlights concerns that the curriculum may favor Christianity over other religions. How important is it to ensure a balanced and inclusive representation of different religious and cultural perspectives in educational materials?
* **[Guest 1]:** Critics argue that the curriculum’s focus on Christianity presents a narrow view of history. How can educators ensure that students gain a comprehensive understanding of history and culture without pushing a particular religious viewpoint?
**Section 3: Age Appropriateness and Parental Rights**
* **[Guest 1]:** Some proponents argue that exposure to religious stories is beneficial even for young children. Others argue that such topics are more appropriate for older students. Where do you stand on the issue of age appropriateness when it comes to religious content in the curriculum?
* **[Guest 2]:** What are the legal implications of teaching religious content in public schools, particularly when it comes to parental rights and the ability to opt-out of certain lessons?
**Section 4: Broader Implications and National Trends**
* **[Guest 2]:** The article mentions similar initiatives in other states. What are the potential implications of these trends for the future of public education in the United States?
* **[Guest 1]:** How do you see this debate playing out in the larger context of the ongoing discussion about the role of religion and values in public life?
**Closing:**
Thank you both for your insightful perspectives on this complex and timely issue. This debate highlights the ongoing tension between religious freedom, educational standards, and the role of government in shaping the curriculum. It will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of discussion and debate in the years to come.
