SBOE: Bluebonnet Learning/OER Vote Happening Next Week

On Wednesday evening, Texas AFT participated in a webinar hosted by Texas Freedom Network to update stakeholders on the state of Bluebonnet Learning, the Texas Education Agency-developed open education resources (OER). As proposed by TEA, the K-5 Reading and English language arts materials contain an unwelcome and unnecessary quantity of Bible references.

The State Board of Education (SBOE) will hear testimony on all instructional materials under consideration Monday and then take up discussion and vote bright and early Tuesday morning.

TFN has published an updated report on the amended materials. While the report acknowledges that some needed corrections have been made, the amendments do not fundamentally or fully address concerns raised by a majority of testifiers from the September meeting.

TFN will be holding a press conference on Monday, Nov.18, at noon CT in advance of the public hearing, urging the SBOE to reject this curriculum that public education advocates and members of the faith community believe violates the religious freedom of Texas students and families.

Texas AFT believes that not only do these materials violate the separation of church and state and the academic freedom of our classroom, but also the sanctity of the teaching profession. These prescriptive materials cannot meet all learners in all contexts, and teachers must be empowered to adapt to the needs of their students.

Our Hotline publishes after registration for in-person public testimony closes, but you can still make your voice heard at the SBOE next week by submitting written testimony to [email protected]. TFN has developed an excellent guide to help stakeholders craft testimony. For additional questions, contact Kelsey Kling [email protected].