Austin, TX — Texas public schools could use Bible teachings in their classes as an option for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, under a proposal that sparked hours of testimony Monday and follows efforts by Republicans in other states to bring more religious education into classrooms.
Teachers and parents gave passionate testimony for and against the education plan at a meeting of the Texas State Board of Education, which is expected to hold a final vote on the measure later this week.
The board heard from more than 150 people about the proposed new program during more than eight hours of testimony, CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV reported.
Testimony is expected to resume Tuesday, CBS Austin affiliate KEYE-TV said.
The program — designed by the state’s public education agency — would allow teaching of the Bible, such as the Golden Rule, and lessons from books like Genesis, in classrooms. Under the plan, it would be optional for schools to adopt the program, although they would receive additional funding if they did.
Some have complained that the proposal contradicts the public school mission.
“This program does not meet the standards of an honest, secular program,” said educator Megan Tessler. “Public schools are meant to educate, not indoctrinate.”
Others strongly supported the idea.
“Parents and teachers want a return to excellence,” Cindy Asmussen, one of the people who testified, told the panel. “Bible stories and concepts have been common for hundreds of years,” and that, she said, is an essential part of classical learning.
Education officials were scheduled to vote Friday on whether public schools would have the option to teach the curriculum.
The proposal to incorporate religious education into Texas public schools reflects a similar trend elsewhere in the country. In Oklahoma, state officials are seeking to include the Bible in public school curriculums. In Louisiana, a federal judge recently waived a requirement have the Ten Commandments displayed in all public classrooms.
Educators, parents and advocates spoke at the State Board of Education’s final meeting of the year, where many opponents argued the proposal’s focus on Christian teachings would alienate students of other faiths. Supporters of the measure testified that it would give students a more comprehensive educational foundation.
Religious experts and the Texas Freedom Network, a left-leaning watchdog group that monitors the state’s board of education, said the curriculum proposal focused too much on Christianity and revolved around the history of the ‘slavery.
The program was designed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year after passing a law mandating it to create its own free textbook. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott publicly supported the new documents.
Texas Republican lawmakers have also proposed displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms and will likely revisit the issue next year.
