Elementary school curriculum proposed this week would infuse new state reading and language arts lessons with teachings on the Bible, marking the latest push by Texas Republicans to putand, if approved by the State Board of Education in November, will be available for public schools to roll out in August of 2025. Districts will have the option of whether to use the materials but will be incentivized to do so with up to $60 per student in additional funding.
"It's a tiny fraction of the overall fraction - it's just where it makes sense to do that," Morath said. "It's a very small but appropriate fraction." Mark Chancey, a Southern Methodist University religious studies professor who focuses on movements to put the Bible in public schools, said there is "nothing inherently inappropriate" with teaching the Bible or other religious texts, so long as it's done neutrally. But he's concerned by some of the proposed curriculum, including lessons that he said seem to treat biblical stories as "straightforward historical accounts.
If the state education board approves the materials in November, schools will not be required to use them. But a measure approved by lawmakers last year will offer more money to public school districts that do choose to adopt any of the materials. "My focus will remain on approving instructional materials that improve outcomes in phonics, language arts, and math," Ellis said.
"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," Abbott said in a statement. Morath cited pilot studies in districts like Temple and Lubbock, where students' reading scores increased by as much as 16 points after adopting the newer reading and language arts program.
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