SUMMARY

Texas school board officials have approved new course materials that schools are incentivized to incorporate into their classrooms. Called “Bluebonnet Learning,” parts of these materials include religious lessons that critics say undermine religious freedom, and could isolate non-Christian students. William Brangham explores the issue with Texas Tribune education reporter Jaden Edison.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. What governmental body approved adding Biblical teaching to state public schools?
2. When will these lessons start appearing in Texas schools?
3. How do proponents of the new Bible-based material explain why it might be important to students?
4. Why do critics say that the new lessons should not be included in classrooms?
5. Who else is considering adding religious content to public school curricula?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Reporter Jaden Edison says that critics distinguish between "teaching and preaching" — or teaching about religions and promoting the beliefs of those religions. Do you think it's possible to draw a line between teaching about religions and promoting religions? What safeguards would help ensure public schools weren't promoting a specific religion when they teach about religions?

Media literacy: Do you know about the Establishment Clause? The Establishment Clause is a critical element of the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Why do you think the authors of the Bill of Rights were concerned about the establishment of a state religion?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do: Read the following article about a judge blocking a Louisiana law that would require schools to display the Ten Commandments. Discuss —

• Why did a federal court block the rule?
• What precedent (that is, previous legal ruling that informed judges' decisions) led the court to block the rule?
• Based on the outcome of the Louisiana case, do you think Texas might face lawsuits or court-ordered removal of texts that use Biblical teaching? Are there any differences in the cases?

Louisiana law requiring schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms remains blocked

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