A cartoon by Nick Anderson.
Texas Assessments Waters With Elementary Bible Classes
The state of Texas is testing the waters for infusing extra Biblical content material in public faculties beneath a brand new curriculum the State Board of Schooling voted on Friday.
Bluebonnet Studying is a state-developed set of educating supplies designed for Ok-5 grades to go the Texas Important Information and Abilities (TEKS) check. Although utilizing Bluebonnet is optionally available, faculties get a further $40 per pupil in the event that they use the curriculum. It is a appreciable sum when many faculty districts are making deep price range cuts after Governor Greg Abbott blocked faculty funding reform final yr.
Although the curriculum is meant to attract a few of its classes from varied world religions, it has a heavy deal with Christianity and edges into full-on Bible classes. As an example, a lesson on the Golden Rule makes use of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount as the first reference, citing the Bible as an authoritative supply.
“The board’s vote represents a troubling attempt to turn public schools into Sunday schools that promote a narrow religious perspective, undermining the freedom of families to direct the religious education of their own children,” mentioned Carisa Lopez, Texas Freedom Community Deputy Director. “Our founders understood that protecting religious liberty means preventing government from favoring any particular faith. This curriculum crosses that line by forcing Bible study on students regardless of families’ beliefs, disregarding the diverse religious traditions of Texas.”
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