Breaking! The Bible Wins at Texas Education Board!
Austin, TX – November 22 2024 – Today, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) took a final vote on the Bluebonnet Learning English Language Arts materials, with biblical references, to approve them.
After the Bluebonnet materials were saved and placed on the approval list Tuesday, a few SBOE members, who have consistently opposed the materials, made board motions to remove the Bluebonnet materials from the final approved list and have a separate vote on the Bluebonnet English materials. The Bluebonnet English materials with biblical references passed 8-7.
On Tuesday, one SBOE member made a motion to remove the Bluebonnet Learning materials because of their references to the Bible. The motion to remove the materials failed by a vote of 7-8.
Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said:
“I am pleased with the SBOE’s decision today to respect students’ First Amendment rights to learn Bible references that will deepen their understanding of history and literature in the Western world. These materials were attacked for no other reason but to completely erase any mention of religion or the Bible from the classroom, which would create a hostile environment for free speech. Texas Values will continue to work with the SBOE and legislators to ensure that positive and enriching materials are in the classroom and that schools don’t ban the Bible.”
Texas Values has been committed to protecting students’ First Amendment rights to have access to this information. Members of the Texas Values team held a press conference before Monday’s meeting and also provided public testimony in favor of the Bluebonnet materials.
First Liberty Institute, one of the leading First Amendment law firms in the nation, urged the Texas SBOE to adopt new curriculum guidelines with optional religious education for elementary students in their press release sent out Thursday.
In addition to Texas Values and First Liberty Institute, other groups who support references to the Bible in the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum include; Concerned Women for America of Texas, Texas Eagle Forum, and Moms for Liberty.
Texas Values has been active in work at the Texas State Board of Education for over a decade. In the past, Texas Values has successfully fought for keeping religious references such as Moses and the 10 commandments in the state standards.
The Texas Values policy team are available for comment. To schedule an interview, please contact Ashley at media@txvalues.org or 737-314-2450 (m).
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About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.