A teachers union is fighting back.
A Texas teachers’ union is opposing a proposed curriculum that incorporates Christian references into elementary education, while also being a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The State Board of Education (SBOE) is currently conducting public hearings in Austin on a new curriculum proposal inspired by House Bill 1605. This bill outlines a revised process for approving “high-quality instructional materials” and includes plans to integrate historical references to the Bible in K-5 classrooms.
The draft curriculum, which is scheduled for final adoption by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in November, includes instructional materials that mention the Christian Bible, such as the Gospel story of Jesus’ birth and the definition of “Messiah” as a divine savior. The curriculum draft is part of the third-grade guide for Reading Language Arts (RLA), covering “Ancient Rome” and includes lessons on early Christianity with selections from the New Testament.
The curriculum also explains the use of historical dating systems such as BC/AD and BCE/CE. It notes that before third grade, students learn about ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, Mayas, Incas, and ancient Greece, including its mythology. One lesson, “Christianity and the Roman Empire,” aims for students to understand the impact of Jesus of Nazareth on the Roman Empire, with evidence marked by an exclamation symbol.
Maps of the Roman Empire and ancient Judea are included, with descriptions highlighting the differences between Jewish and Roman religious practices. The draft mentions that Jewish texts predicted a coming Messiah and notes the significant impact of Jesus on the history of the Roman Empire.
Aside from biblical references, the curriculum includes literary works such as Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows” and Native American literature.
In response, the Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has criticized the draft for overemphasizing Christianity while neglecting other religions. The AFT, known for opposing restrictive measures on LGBTQ+ issues and supporting pro-trans literature like “I Am Jazz,” has also called for the repeal of Texas laws that stigmatize homosexual conduct.
Keisha Russell, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, argued that incorporating the Bible into education is legally supported. Citing the Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton, Russell emphasized that the Bible’s inclusion in education reflects its importance in American history and culture.
The TEA has until October 14 to finalize any revisions to the curriculum before a vote in November on the approved materials.