SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The Texas State Board of Education approved a required student reading list yesterday. It includes Bible passages, along with classics by writers like Shakespeare. Trustees also rewrote a social studies curriculum to include biblical references, biblical influences and a stronger focus on the U.S. and Texas. Bill Zeeble with member station KERA in Dallas joins us. Bill, thanks for being with us.
BILL ZEEBLE, BYLINE: Good morning.
SIMON: And what's behind this decision?
ZEEBLE: Well, for years, the state basically has been rewriting its Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, what officials here call the TEKS. That's for social studies, and for changing which books Texans have to read in school. Yesterday, the board made it official by approving the social studies requirements. They take Texas and U.S. exceptionalism perspective. So there's less of a world history and less about cultures and more of a focus on patriotism and the state's history here. As for the reading list, it adds at least one Bible passage for every grade. So passages like the prodigal son or Psalm 23.
SIMON: Of course, Bible passages have officially been kept out of school curricula across the country for years to honor the idea of separating church and state. This is a big change, isn't it?
ZEEBLE: Yeah. I mean, I'm reading that it's a first. Those who favor the Bible passages say, in part, it basically follows recent state law that called for their inclusion, and that the First Amendment lets you mention religion in schools as long as you don't make that religion official. The majority of the 15 elected board members say Christianity was key to the founding of this state and the country. Brandon Hall is one of the board members. He's also a minister.
BRANDON HALL: America and Texas have been a Christian nation and a Christian state forever. Of course, there are other faiths that are represented, but they've had a minimal impact.
SIMON: Bill, I gather nearly 500 people signed up to address the board about these changes. I'm going to guess a lot of them disagreed.
ZEEBLE: A lot of them agreed, but yes, hundreds disagreed. They signed up to oppose the biblical passages and changes to the social studies curriculum. They said it ignores other religions, and it pushes Christianity over Islam, Judaism, other faiths, and those who don't believe in God at all. Rabbi Joshua Fixler - he told the board there's a difference between teaching religion and teaching about religion.
JOSHUA FIXLER: My fourth grader would have to read three religious texts. All three center on Christian messages of faith and theology to which my family does not ascribe.
ZEEBLE: Fixler said using Christian passages and the reading requirements puts teachers in a really tough spot, and he basically wasn't alone.
SIMON: What happens next?
ZEEBLE: Well, the board approved the required reading list, changes to social studies and history for grades K-8 were approved. Most of the work for high school has been put off until the board meets again in September. The changes are scheduled to start in 2030, 2031, that school year. So that gives publishers time to make their changes.
SIMON: Bill Zeeble out of KERA in Dallas. Thanks so much.
ZEEBLE: It's been a pleasure. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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