Some Texas school officials are skeptical

[SARose]

that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise

BY POOJA SALHOTRA
JUNE 5, 2024

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But some Texas school district leaders, parents and education advocates aren’t convinced things are so clear cut.

The Texas Education Agency last week released thousands of pages of instructional materials that make up a proposed elementary school curriculum that drew immediate criticism for infusing religion — particularly Christianity — into public schools. If the State Board of Education adopts the curriculum, school districts that use it could get an additional $60 per student in state funding.

While that financial incentive would entice some district leaders to consider the state’s lesson plans, some say they are already satisfied with their current curriculum. And, superintendents said, district employees will need time to weigh whether the content adds value for their students, especially if they include biblical references that raise questions about church-state separation.

“The law is clear cut to us — you don’t teach your students a particular religion,” said Stan Surratt, superintendent of Lindale Independent School District, which sits in conservative Deep East Texas. “You can talk about different religions, but we don’t teach Christianity to our students.”

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