Hi John,

Last week’s State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting made it clear that the far right continues to see public schools as tools for promoting political and religious agendas.

During debate over proposed new charter schools, for example, far-right board members renewed their distaste of teaching students the truth about topics like the history of racial discrimination in this country. Extremist member Julie Pickren — yes, the same Julie Pickren who wants PragerU’s far-right propaganda in public schools — also reiterated her support for a new and irresponsible state law allowing charters and traditional public schools to hire unqualified religious chaplains as counselors for students.

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Public School ≠ Sunday School 🛑

Surprising exactly no one, the far right is becoming increasingly aggressive about pushing a religious agenda in public school classrooms. Testifying during a committee hearing, religious righters voiced their support for a proposed, state-developed reading curriculum infused with Bible stories. The hearing took place just weeks after the state board’s Republican chairman told delegates to the GOP State Convention that he would use his position overseeing Texas public schools to “fight for these three-letter words: G-O-D, G-O-P, and U-S-A.” 

The good news is that many grassroots activists also spoke at the hearing in opposition to turning public schools into Sunday schools. They warned that the inclusion of Bible-based lessons risks undermining the religious freedom of the many students whose families are from diverse faith traditions, or no faith.

Fighting for Students' Rights Today & Every Day ✊

The Texas Freedom Network has long defended the separation of church and state as a key constitutional protection for true religious liberty. While teaching about the influence of religion in our history and society can be an appropriate part of an education, public schools can’t and mustn’t cross the line into favoring or disfavoring any particular religion or religious perspective.

SAVE THE DATE

We are currently reviewing the state’s proposed Bible-infused curriculum in advance of a September public hearing before the full board. The board will meet Sept. 10-13. Please save the date and sign up for our Teach the Truth updates as we will me mobilizing at this meeting to protect our public schools.

In the fight,

Seneca Savoie (he/him)

TFN Organizing Director

TFN is a statewide non-partisan, grassroots organization that is building an informed and effective movement working toward equality and social justice.

Texas Freedom Network
P.O. Box 1624
Austin, TX 78767
United States 
Phone: (512) 322-0545

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