Schools, church, state and the Texas Legislature: Debate heats up over what and where students should learn

(The Texas Tribune) – Texas lawmakers on Monday sparred during a hearing over two topics expected to consume much of the public education debate during the 2025 legislative session: religion in schools and education savings accounts. The House Public Education Committee began the public hearing with testimony from Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. Later, there were questions from at least one Democrat about an education commission proposal that would infuse Bible teachings into elementary school English and Language Arts curriculum pending State Board of Education approval in November. If approved, the decision to adopt the curriculum would rest with school districts. Those that do adopt it would receive an incentive of up to $60 per student. Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, spoke to Morath about what many in recent weeks have described as a bias toward Christianity in the educational materials, which they believe could violate church-state separation and alienate Texas children whose families oppose government support for a single faith. “I can tell you, there is a difference between teaching and preaching,” Talarico said. “And in my opinion, these passages, which appear at length throughout the curriculum … they are preaching under federal law.” Talarico specifically pointed to a...