State Board of Education to consider traditional curriculum offering for Texas students

AUSTIN—The Texas Education Agency, which oversees the state’s primary and secondary public education, has developed a new curriculum for students that supporters say can return public education to “rigorous academic learning.”

The curriculum is called Bluebonnet Learning (formerly TEA Open Education Resource). Last year the legislature passed  House Bill 1605 into law, directing the TEA to create its own free-to-use textbooks to help teachers with planning their classes.

“The materials will … 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,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said.

The first offering will be reading/language arts for K-5 students and will be ready by August 2025.

One prominent feature of the curriculum is the explanation of biblical content used as a source reference for certain historical events, including famous works of art and music, important to understanding the development of Western civilization. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, referred to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, from the Book of Daniel in his well-known “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” The use of biblical references has been controversial and drew critics to public hearings who expressed concern about schools “teaching religion.” The curriculum’s developers and advocates have responded that the use of biblical material is not for purposes of proselytizing.

The curriculum is optional, but a financial incentive is offered from the state for classes that use Bluebonnet Learning. It is offered free to homeschooling families, as well. Once ready for use, the material will be online in PDF form, allowing parents to see all that their children will be studying.

Cindy Asmussen, policy advisor to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, has reviewed the proposed curriculum and is enthusiastic about the chance to turn away from radical ideology in classrooms and back to a more classical model of learning.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she told the Texan. “We have all the pieces together to get something monumental done for Texas students.”

The State Board of Education has held public hearings on the new curriculum and received comments from the public online. The board will vote regarding approval of Bluebonnet Learning during its November meeting. Asmussen strongly encourages Texans to speak with their board members in favor of its approval.

You can contact your State Board of Education member by clicking here if you’d like to share your opinion on the subject.