Texas school board approves optional curriculum that incorporates Bible lessons for K-5 classes

Public schools in Texas now can use a new, state-written curriculum infused with Bible stories after the state’s school board voted in favour on Friday.

Public schools in Texas now have the option to use a new, state-written curriculum infused with Bible stories after the state’s school board voted in favour of the material on Friday.

A slim majority of the board’s 15 members – eight to seven – voted to keep the Bluebonnet Learning material on a list of K-5 reading and English language arts materials for potential use in the 2025-26 school year.

The material was developed by the Texas Education Agency, a state body overseeing public school education, headed by Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.

Critics of the curriculum argue it heavily favors Christianity over other faiths. Some have suggested the teachings violate the "establishment clause" of the First Amendment, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

Notably, Texas has independent school districts, meaning each district decides what is taught in classrooms. Bluebonnet Learning materials will be part of a menu of curriculums available for school districts to use.

While they are not required to use the new materials, adopting the state-developed open education resource can earn schools US$40 per student annually. An additional US$20 would be provided per student for printing costs.

Four Democrats and three Republicans opposed the inclusion of the curriculum during a preliminary vote on Tuesday, including Pam Little, the Republican vice chair of the board, who said the materials are too rigorous for young students. Little voted against the material on Friday as well.