The Texas State Board of Education approved a set of instructional materials developed by the state that prominently features Bible stories in elementary reading classes, despite facing strong opposition from teachers, parents, and civil rights organizations.

Critics of these materials, known as Bluebonnet, argued that they seem to promote religious teachings akin to those found in Sunday school. Meanwhile, supporters believe these resources are necessary for helping teachers manage their workloads and claim that including biblical narratives enhances students’ understanding of diverse cultures.

This vote in Texas reflects a broader trend in states often identified as part of the Bible Belt. For instance, in Oklahoma, the chief education officer has mandated public schools to incorporate Bible teachings, while Louisiana has instructed that the Ten Commandments be displayed in school classrooms. Recently, a federal judge deemed the Louisiana law unconstitutional.

Republican leaders in these states are also questioning the long-standing constitutional barriers that restrict religious education in public schools. Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma state superintendent, stated that former President Trump has played a role in fostering support for these changes during his 2024 campaign.

This trend isn’t limited to Southern states. In Ohio, lawmakers are currently discussing a bill that would allow students to leave school during the day for religious instruction.

Opposition from school administrators and civil rights organizations has emerged in various regions, arguing that these mandates infringe upon students’ rights and violate the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion or interfering with its free exercise.

Approval of Bible-Included Materials Came by a Narrow Vote

The Texas education board approved the Bluebonnet materials with a razor-thin 8-7 vote, where only Republican members supported it. All Democrats and three Republicans opposed its introduction in schools.

“If it weren’t for the Christian bias evident in this content, I would genuinely recognize the value in how these lessons are structured,” remarked Marisa Perez-Diaz, a Democratic board member from San Antonio.

During an initial discussion on the materials, board member Tom Maynard, a Republican from northern Austin, emphasized that including Christian stories offers students insight into a significant American faith.

“This is fundamentally about fostering cultural awareness,” Maynard noted, mentioning that numerous literary works reference biblical themes.

“This is about literature and truly equipping students to appreciate literature on a wider scale,” Maynard explained.

Republican members opposing the materials cited concerns about their overall quality rather than the biblical content itself.

In a recent statement, Republican Vice Chairwoman Pam Little, from a northern Dallas area, expressed strong support for teaching “biblical values” but raised issues regarding the presentation of phonics and lessons that focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, claiming they contradict the values held by many Texan families.

What Is Bluebonnet?

The Bluebonnet resource is an optional, free tool for Texas teachers, allowing school districts that choose to implement it to receive up to $60 per student.

The creation of Bluebonnet materials was mandated by the Texas Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 1605, aimed at providing educators access to high-quality learning resources.

Following the law’s passage, the Texas Education Agency was tasked with developing content for elementary school math and reading courses.

Opponents of including Bible stories in the Bluebonnet materials argue that many financially struggling school districts may feel pressured to accept the additional $60 per student. They have highlighted specific excerpts that are problematic, such as a kindergarten reading lesson featuring artwork related to biblical creation and passages from Genesis.

A Nationwide Dialogue

The approval of materials created by the Texas Education Agency extends the contentious national debate about religion’s place in public education.

According to Joshua Cowen, an education policy professor at Michigan State University, the discussion surrounding religion in schools is not new but has re-emerged recently.

“It’s a situation where what has previously occurred is happening again,” said Cowen, referring to the heated debates over the legality of prayer and Bible readings in schools that began in the 1960s.

An uptick in interest surrounding religion in education typically exposes attempts to mobilize voters within conservative circles, as stated by Cowen.

Texas, according to him, serves as a significant hub for these developments due to its large population and financial backing from affluent supporters.

Lawmakers in Texas have begun introducing proposals for the coming legislative session aimed at further intertwining religion with public education, including one that mandates the display of religious texts in schools.

One proposal suggests displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom, while another initiative aims to allocate specific times during the school day for student prayer.