In a closely contested decision, the Texas State Board of Education has granted final approval for optional biblical lesson plans to be introduced in public schools for kindergarten through 5th grade. The curriculum, structured by the state-created Bluebonnet Learning program, will feature lessons on significant biblical events such as Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and the Last Supper.
The vote, held on Friday, passed narrowly by 8-7. Under the new policy, schools are not required to adopt the curriculum, but those that choose to implement it will receive additional funding—$60 per student. The program is slated to be available to Texas public schools beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
Governor Greg Abbott, a staunch supporter of the measure, has argued that the inclusion of biblical teachings in public education is a return to core educational values. “These lessons will bring students back to the basics of education and provide the necessary fundamentals in math, reading, science, and other core subjects,” Abbott said in a statement following the approval. “The materials will also allow our students to better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution,” he added.
However, the move has sparked significant opposition, particularly from groups concerned about the separation of church and state. Critics argue that the curriculum is disproportionately focused on Christianity and that it infringes upon the constitutional principle of religious neutrality in public schools.
“The Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) believes that not only do these materials violate the separation of church and state and the academic freedom of our classrooms, but also the sanctity of the teaching profession,” the group stated in response to the vote. “These prescriptive materials cannot meet all learners in all contexts, and teachers must be empowered to adapt to the needs of their students.”
The Board of Education heard hours of testimony earlier this week from more than 150 individuals both supporting and opposing the curriculum. Some educators and religious groups defended the plan, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of the Bible, while others expressed concern about its potential to erode academic integrity and exclude students from diverse religious backgrounds.
The decision in Texas follows similar efforts in neighboring states to introduce religious content into public education. In Louisiana, lawmakers are pushing for the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, while Oklahoma has passed legislation requiring the inclusion of Bibles in classrooms and mandating their use in lessons. Both of these measures are currently facing legal challenges, and many expect Texas’s new curriculum to undergo similar scrutiny in court.
As the debate continues, the Texas decision raises important questions about the role of religion in public education and the balance between educational freedom and the separation of church and state. With legal challenges looming, the issue is expected to remain at the forefront of state and national conversations in the months to come.
