AUSTIN, Texas — The State Board of Education heard more than 8 hours of public testimony on Monday on whether to approve a new statewide curriculum. The "Bluebonnet Learning" curriculum would incorporate Bible lessons in kindergarten through fifth grade in public schools. Testimony is expected to resume Tuesday morning.
A months-long debate over the new curriculum culminated in tense testimony in Austin. More than 150 people signed up to testify in front of the Texas State Board of Education about the new proposed curriculum.
"Don't Oklahoma our Texas! Vote no against this curriculum," one critic said.
"People want to know why will this curriculum work, everything is birthed through prayer," said a curriculum supporter.
The proposed curriculum is set to impact Texas' 2.3 million public school students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Known as "Bluebonnet Learning", the curriculum was developed under House Bill 1605, a 2023 law that upended Texas public school curriculum standards.
It would include lessons from the Bible in reading and language arts textbooks. Something many critics sounded off on Monday.
"I strongly urge you to vote against the adoption of the Bluebonnet curriculum," a critic said. "I believe the Christian Bible is important and even foundational, but that choice should not be made by the state for my family or any other."
Supporters argue students have a right to study biblical stories in an academic setting. They say it helps improve reading comprehension and teaches morality.
"Government cannot violate religious liberty by establishing a religion of secularism by giving preference to those who believe in no religion over those who have religious beliefs," said Jonathan Covey, policy director of Texas Values.
The Texas Education Agency has already modified the curriculum after a discussion last September, but groups across Texas continue to say approving this Bible-infused curriculum is wholly inappropriate and unconstitutional promoting Christianity above any other world religion.
"Can you imagine the rage and outrage if you were suggesting that only the Quran be used to teach our children about moral values," said one critic.
The Board expected to take a preliminary vote when testimony wraps up.
On Friday, the board will take its final vote on the TEA-proposed curriculum.
If the proposed curriculum passes, school districts in Texas will not be forced to use it, but there will be an incentive of $60 in state funding per student for adopting the new curriculum.
The curriculum would be ready for districts to use across Texas by August 2025.