The Texas state board of education voted 8-7 on Friday to allow optional Bible lessons in public elementary schools. The new curriculum, which could be used as early as next year, has sparked debate about the separation of church and state.
The board, with a Republican majority, approved the material despite concerns that it would promote Christianity and exclude other religions. Supporters argued that the Bible is important to American history and can enhance learning.
The lessons, funded by the state, would be available for kindergarten through fifth grade. However, schools are not required to use them.
One lesson plan for kindergarten discusses the Golden Rule using examples from the Bible. Another lesson for third grade about Thanksgiving instructs teachers to explain how the governor of Plymouth included references to the book of Psalms in his speech.
“This curriculum is not age-appropriate or subject matter appropriate in the way that it presents these Bible stories,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.
Texas is the first state to introduce Bible lessons in this way, according to experts. The legality of the curriculum remains uncertain.
The Texas education agency developed the materials following a 2023 law passed by the Republican-led Legislature.
The vote comes amidst a broader push by Republican-controlled states to incorporate religion into public schools. Louisiana recently saw a law mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms blocked by a federal judge, while Oklahoma faces a lawsuit over efforts to include the Bible in lesson plans.
