School districts can choose their own lesson plans, but the state will offer an incentive of $60 per student to districts that adopt the lessons

The State Board of Education on Friday approved the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) proposal for Texas’ state-owned textbooks, known as Bluebonnet Learning.

The SBOE approved the material by an 8-7 vote with only Republican members voting for it. All Democratic members and three Republicans opposed it.

The curriculum adopted by the state education board, which is controlled by elected Republicans, is optional for schools, but they will receive additional funding if they implement it.

The proposed textbooks were developed under a 2023 state law that overhauled Texas’ public school curriculum standards. Some Texans have criticized the materials for frequent references to the Bible,

The Texas State Board of Education took the final step needed Friday to advance a controversial curriculum that includes bible teachings.The board formally signed off on allowing bible-influenced content in the classrooms with a final vote of 8 to 7 in favor of the curriculum,

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a set of lesson plans for elementary students that includes stories from the Bible.

Texas State Board of Education narrowly approved a new elementary school curriculum that has drawn widespread criticism for favoritism toward Christianity. The criticism is warranted, but it’s nonetheless unlikely that courts will find the Bluebonnet Learning Program an unconstitutional establishment of religion.