This is a tough one to write, John.

Today, the State Board of Education (SBOE) ignored warnings from religious education experts and overwhelming public opposition and officially voted 8-7 to approve Bluebonnet Learning, the state’s Bible-infused, error-riddled elementary school reading curriculum.

“The board’s approval of this curriculum puts Texas at the center of a national movement to use public schools for promoting religious agendas that not even all Christians share. This threatens the freedom of families of all faiths to direct the religious education of their own children.”

- TFN Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez (yours truly)

More Takeaways from What Felt Like the Longest SBOE Meeting of All Time

• During the legislative recommendations section of the meeting, Member Marisa Pérez-Díaz (D) introduced an anti-voucher recommendation that would call on the Texas Legislature to “support public schools and oppose Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).” It failed.

• Member Tom Maynard (R) recommended that the SBOE should have the power to censor library books. It passed 🙃.

• It appears the board is planning to initiate the social studies TEKS review process as early as April 2025, with the process likely stretching into 2026.

So the curriculum passed. What now?

Though this vote did not go the way we hoped, know that your voice matters. Without your advocacy, the vote likely wouldn’t have been this close — and it definitely wouldn’t have gotten the nationwide attention that it did. THANK YOU.

This fight was only a small part of the bigger battle. TFN remains committed to ensuring that our public schools teach the truth and serve all students. We’ll continue to advocate at the local level now that the Bluebonnet materials have passed.

With Ten Commandments bills already filed, we expect even more attacks on students’ religious freedom when the 89th Legislative Session starts in January. Make sure you’re ready to fight alongside us by signing up for our legislative updates!

Always in the fight,

Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella)

TFN Political 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

Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe