AUSTIN, Texas — The State Board of Education approved new elementary school curriculum that combines reading with history lessons to improve students’ proficiency in both subject areas. But there is a large influence of Christianity, more than other religions in the lessons.
What You Need To Know
The State Board of Education approved new elementary school curriculum that combines reading with history lessons to improve students’ proficiency in both subject areas
The curriculum is optional for districts to implement, but challenges are expected in part due to the financial incentive, $60 per student, for districts that do use the lessons
Some lawmakers find the curriculum unconstitutional, but many conservative lawmakers admit to wanting more Christianity in schools
Constitutional experts have noticed the United States Supreme Court’s willingness to allow more religion in public life, usually in the Christian context
“This bill and this curriculum includes immunity for teachers that violate the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. So I’m not the only one who thinks that this is unconstitutional,” said state Democratic Rep. James Talarico.
The curriculum is optional for districts to implement, but challenges are expected in part due to the financial incentive, $60 per student, for districts that do use the lessons.
“It could be argued that the state of Texas is paying school districts to use this, thus promoting a biblical approach,” said Brian Owsley, a professor at the UNT Dallas College of Law.
But many conservative lawmakers admit to wanting more Christianity in schools.
“I think parents want more from schools in terms of principles and ideals that we should be studying and emulating rather than some of the indoctrination that has occurred, unfortunately, in some of our school districts,” said Republican state Rep. David Spiller.
Spiller’s bill would allow school districts to adopt a policy to give students and teachers an optional time to pray outside of instructional periods.
“It’s an opportunity for them to study the principles, ideals, the things that are contained biblically or whatever text that they want to read or study or to participate in prayer,” he said.
His bill is one of the few filed ahead of the 89th legislative session that mix Christianity and public schools.
Another requires a display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
“I believe that what we’re doing is constitutional and it was drafted in such a way to not be in conflict with any existing federal law,” Spiller said.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals paused Louisiana’s Ten Commandments in classrooms law, as Republican-led states continue to test the constitutionality of religion in public schools.
“Unless you sort of are willing to establish Christianity as the preferred religion, which I think some people would be happy to do, but would be really problematic constitutionally, you’re opening up sort of Pandora’s box,” said Owsley.
But constitutional experts have noticed the United States Supreme Court’s willingness to allow more religion in public life, usually in the Christian context.
“And there’s a tension within the First Amendment between the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause that’s inherent within the First Amendment,” said Owsley.
Democrats say they will continue to fight against what some of them call religious indoctrination.