The review period for Texas’ new educational curriculum has just ended and the State Board of Education is set to hold a hearing next week to discuss the feedback it received. Unsurprisingly, the comments were more negative than positive because people who are mad about something are usually more motivated to let the world know (See, social media).
The problem with most of the criticism is that it is wild and unsubstantiated. For example, online trolls affiliated with the nation’s largest teachers union, AFT, claim over and over that the curriculum contains “harmful and pornographic materials.” Yet, even though the full curriculum has been published online for months, they can provide no evidence of this obnoxious accusation.
Others laughably argue that Texas has somehow fallen victim to a United Nations plot to indoctrinate our children.
Let’s be clear, there is certainly an effort by leftists to push radical racial and gender theory in our schools, (TPPF made a whole mini-documentary about it).
But that’s why conservatives responded with HB 1605, the law that required the new curriculum – created to prevent radical Marxist agendas and other inappropriate materials from being in Texas classrooms. The law was overwhelmingly supported by conservatives – one called it “the best piece of education legislation to have surfaced in 12 years” – and the initial review of the new curriculum was done by well-respected individuals, like Dr. Ben Carson.
In fact, the new curriculum is a game changer for teachers, students, and parents. It consists of high-quality instructional materials guaranteed to be on grade level and backed by evidence-based best practices. TEA revealed in 2022 that a limited study found that just 19% of Texas’ K-5 reading material is on grade level. This new curriculum is provided to the district at no cost so teachers can focus on teaching and evaluating students instead of spending their nights and weekends Googling lesson plans. And, the transparency demanded by parents is now happening because parents can follow along with all the lessons because every bit of the material is posted online.
Another lie is that this superior curriculum is being forced on districts. It’s not. The curriculum is totally optional. There is no requirement to use the new curriculum, no penalty for not using it, and doesn’t impede on a teacher’s ability to choose they materials they want. So if parents and teachers are happy with the materials they are using and the kids are performing, then they can stick with what works. But, if teachers are struggling with lack of lesson plans, poor quality or inappropriate curriculum that has led to 50% of our kids not being able to read, then they have easy and free access to a new and better way of educating kids.
For many educators, like a principal in Amarillo, the new curriculum is working. When the SBOE votes in November, they can bring these same benefits to all districts.
Brian Phillips
Chief Communications Officer
