DESOTO, Texas — Fifteen State Board of Education members are expected to say yes to a controversial teaching curriculum impacting Texas public schools on Friday that will draw the separation of church and state closer.
The Texas Bluebonnet curriculum, a set of educational materials to be made optional for districts, has drawn criticism for promoting Christianity over other religions in reading and English language arts materials spanning from kindergarten to 5th grade.
Supporters of the curriculum argue it reflects the values of local communities and offers moral guidance. However, critics see it as a problematic blurring between education and religious indoctrination. Legal and advocacy groups are closely monitoring its use, with some calling for reviews to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements.
For instance, the "Golden Rule" is included in a kindergarten lesson and surrounds Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from the New Testament. That lesson also includes other faiths, but not all lessons do.
In third grade, students can learn about Jesus, his life and his interactions with ancient Rome--specifically the Roman Empire.
The state's largest teachers union opposes the curriculum that narrowly passed a preliminary vote earlier this week, 8-7. Four Democrats and three Republicans voted no.
Friday's final vote could be close. North Texas board member Aicha Davis vacated her seat and ran successfully for the Texas House as a Democrat this year. Days before the election, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Leslie Recine to the seat to represent District 13. Recine has no current or previous expertise in education, other than her parents both being educators.
Democrat Dr. Tiffany Clark is expected to take over that seat in January after running unopposed. She told WFAA that because she was unopposed, Abbott should have appointed her to the seat for the remainder of the year, which would be hers anyway. She calls the move political and one to ensure that the curriculum passes.
Before finishing her service, Recine will attend just one meeting for the State Board of Education, which had a total of five for this year.
Clark says she is a Christian and has served as a teacher, school counselor and board member for DeSoto ISD but still doesn't support what's being voted on Friday.
"We're negating all of our families, the cultures, the family values that other religions have," Clark said Thursday. "I could have stepped in, held this seat and done what was in the best interest of District 13."
Again, the curriculum is optional, but districts that say a 'yes' vote will allocate an additional $60 per student annually, which is helpful for some school boards trying to boost state funding as they wrestle with stagnant or declining enrollment.
Clark sees that as buying faith--not earning it.
"We need to get back to reading, writing and math, and we need to allow teachers to do their jobs," Clark said.