Texas's New Curriculum: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

A letter to parents from a Texas elementary school claims that an art lesson for kindergartners will "explore the many different things that inspire artists, including religious faith." However, a closer inspection by religious studies scholar David R. Brockman in a Texas Freedom Network report reveals something quite different.

While the lesson mentions ancient Mayan, Aztec, and Greek art, it quickly deviates into a four-page review of the Creation and Flood stories from Genesis, complete with biblical event sequencing exercises:

"Use the prompts below and support students to order the events of the story. Record students’ answers on the graphic organizer."

• "Which event happened first? (God created light.)"
• "What happened next? (God created the seas, dry ground, and vegetation.)"
• "What happened after that? (God created the fish and birds.)"
• "Then what happened? (God created the animals.)"
• "What happened last? (God created the first man and woman and the Garden of Eden.)"

"I actually went to Catholic schools, and I never had this much theology packed into an art lesson."

Texas has a history of blending religion and education, from allowing religious chaplains in public schools to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's aspirations to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The state's interpretation of religious freedom seems to favor the promotion of a particular Christian worldview, creating a cultural divide.

Although Texas school districts are not obligated to adopt these lessons, the state is offering a financial incentive of up to $60 per student for those that do, a tempting offer for cash-strapped districts, reports the Statesman's Keri Heath.

A detailed examination of the curriculum by Brockman, a nonresident scholar of religious studies at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, reveals a one-sided portrayal of Christianity in history. While acknowledging the positive impact of Christians in social justice movements, it fails to recognize the contributions of non-Christians and overlooks the use of religious arguments to defend slavery and segregation.

“Besides overemphasizing Christianity to the detriment or exclusion of other religions, the curriculum offers a one-sidedly positive portrayal of Christianity in history," wrote Brockman. "It consistently downplays what is — though it grieves me as a Christian to acknowledge — the well-documented history of Christians’ involvement in injustice and oppression.”

The curriculum also places a heavy emphasis on religious persecution and freedom as primary motivations for American colonization and the Revolutionary War, distorting historical realities.

This curriculum repackages history and art to serve a contemporary agenda: promoting the idea that America is a Christian nation governed by specific religious values. Governor Greg Abbott, who previously criticized public schools as places of "indoctrination," now surprisingly applauds this curriculum.

Texas's new curriculum and Governor Abbott's shifting stance on education provide a revealing and concerning lesson for Texans.

URL References:

• Texas Freedom Network report: https://tfn.org/cms/assets/uploads/2024/08/OER-Report-2024.pdf
• Governor Greg Abbott's comments on public school "indoctrination": https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-advocates-for-expanded-school-choice-in-giddings