As the Texas State Board of Education voted on a new curriculum featuring Bible-based lessons in public schools, member Staci Childs, an attorney who represents the Houston area, was conflicted about the matter. Despite being a Christian herself, Childs opposed the decision, citing concerns over the separation of church and state. The curriculum narrowly passed in an 8-7 vote, with three Republicans, including Childs, opposing it along with the board's four Democrats.
As the Texas State Board of Education prepared to vote last month on whether to allow public school districts to opt in to a new elementary school curriculum featuring Bible-based lessons, board member Staci Childs asked her pastor for prayer. “I’d think that learning some things about the Bible on a historical account is not necessarily bad. But if I’m saying less Christianity, what kind of Christian am I?” Childs said last week. “This was conflicting for me.
A group of parents filed a lawsuit in October challenging the state, arguing the mandate violates the Oklahoma Constitution. Plaintiff Erika Wright, the founder of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition and a mother of three children, said the state, which is consistently at the bottom of nationwide educational rankings, needs to prioritize the basics and leave discussing religion to families at home. “Public school is not Sunday school,” Wright said.
Texas State Board Of Education Bible-Based Curriculum Public School Education Separation Of Church And State Staci Childs
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