District board members voted Wednesday to approve the purchase of Bluebonnet Learning.
SAN ANTONIO — Bible infused curriculum is what one San Antonio School District is considering.
In a meeting Wednesday school board members approved the potential purchase of the Bluebonnet Curriculum which is widely criticized for being centered on teachings of the Christian Bible.
This curriculum was passed by the Texas Board of Education in November of last year has been criticized as leaning toward Christianity in its teachings.
Now South San Antonio ISD says it is considering purchasing it but nothing has been finalized.
In a Wednesday meeting board members unanimously agreed that South San ISD can purchase Bluebonnet Curriculum created by the TEA.
A mother of three at South San ISD Irene Gonzalez says she likes the concept of the bible based curriculum.
“It’s not necessarily for them to be a certain religion but it’s (the teachings) for them to grow and maybe take it out for them in the future,” Gonzalez said.
While others like Tom Cummins the Executive Director of the South San Antonio Federation of Teachers is in opposition.
“Effective reading instruction is not in this curriculum…like anything when you first begin it…it’s not as good as it will be down the line,” Cummins said.
Cummins argues with a curriculum based on one religion other religions will be excluded.
He also said those who wrote this curriculum were not fit to do so.
“Therefore, the quality is very poor and not suitable for elementary schools and middle schools.”
The district sending us this statement tonight:
South San Antonio ISD has received approval to purchase the Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum; however, no final decisions have been made regarding which specific components will be selected. Although the approval was granted at the January 22 board meeting, SSAISD is not the first district in San Antonio to make this decision. Other districts within Region 20 have also received approval to purchase the Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum. SSAISD leadership remains confident in our current curriculum and will take a thorough approach in reviewing relevant materials from Bluebonnet Learning.
“Do not cheat the child in the classroom in receiving a quality education just so you may receive a few extra dollars,” Cummins said.
According to the TEA any district that adopts the curriculum is offered the incentive of $60 a student while $20 would go toward the costs and printing of textbooks.
“This is not a high quality curriculum…second is it not suitable for the kids in South San,” Cummins said.
“Maybe if they believe in a different belief…they can believe in something to hold on to the future,” Gonzalez said.
The district told me if they end up voting the curriculum in…it will not affect the 2024/2025 school year. Whether it will impact the 2025/2026 school year has yet to be determined.