### Texas State Board of Education Moves Toward Approving Controversial New Curriculum

In a significant development, the Texas State Board of Education has indicated preliminary support for a proposed state-authored curriculum that has stirred debate for its extensive incorporation of biblical teachings. The board is set to make a final decision later this week.

During a meeting on Tuesday, a majority of the board members voted in favor of Bluebonnet Learning, an elementary school curriculum put forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). With eight out of 15 members expressing their preliminary approval, the curriculum now moves closer to being officially adopted. The TEA has been given until late Wednesday to submit revisions addressing concerns raised by the board and the public before the final vote on Friday.

This new curriculum employs a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating reading and language arts instructions with history and social studies. Critics, including religious studies experts, argue that it disproportionately highlights Christianity, potentially ostracizing non-Christian students and breaching the church-state separation. They also raise questions about the accuracy of some lessons. However, supporters argue that references to Christianity will provide students with a better grasp of American history.

If approved, the decision to adopt the curriculum will remain with individual Texas school districts. The state, however, is offering an incentive of $60 per student to districts that opt to use the new lessons, which could tempt districts facing financial hardships.

The vote has seen an unusual alignment, with three Republican members—Evelyn Brooks, Patricia Hardy, and Pam Little—joining the board’s four Democrats in opposing the curriculum. The vote may hinge on Leslie Recine, a Republican appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to temporarily fill a vacant seat on the board until the end of the year. Recine has expressed support for the curriculum, potentially tipping the scales in its favor.

Board members who back the curriculum argue it will enhance students' reading skills and broaden their understanding of global perspectives, insisting their decision was not politically motivated. Houston Republican Will Hickman defended the curriculum, stating, "These stories contribute to cultural literacy and include religious concepts like the Good Samaritan, the Golden Rule, and Moses that all students should know."

Notably, the curriculum features lessons on the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate the Golden Rule to kindergarteners. Critics argue that emphasizing Christian narratives could infringe on the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. Democrats on the board remain wary, emphasizing the need for a high-quality, unbiased curriculum that adheres strictly to educational standards.

Public feedback on the curriculum remains polarized, with over 100 Texans voicing their opinions. Courtnie Bagley from the Texas Public Policy Foundation assured that the TEA has addressed public concerns diligently, asserting that rejecting the curriculum would unfairly elevate other educational materials.

As Texas education officials assert that the curriculum includes multiple faiths where relevant, debates persist about whether the initiative tilts politically. Legal experts underscore that recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have blurred the lines of what constitutes a violation of the Establishment Clause.

Revisions to resolve these conflicts will be made prior to the final vote this Friday. Whether Bluebonnet Learning will become the standard curriculum for Texas schools hangs in the balance, reflecting broader tensions over religion's role in public education.