For decades, public schools across America have steadily diminished the role of the Bible and our nation’s Christian foundation in history lessons. As a result, generations of students have grown up without a full understanding of how faith shaped our nation’s founding principles, laws, and leaders. Too often, the influence of Scripture has been minimized or omitted altogether, leaving an incomplete picture of our nation’s history.
Now, Texas is taking a significant step to change that.
On April 10, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) made a preliminary vote to update the state’s social studies standards to preserve accurate foundational history and reflect recent changes in legislation. The proposed Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) emphasize American and Texan exceptionalism while rejecting the inclusion of Islam-focused content in U.S. and Texas history instruction.
“It is a great day in the State of Texas,” said SBOE member Brandon Hall to The Dallas Express. “The SBOE is on track to approve a literary works list that would bring key Bible passages back into classrooms for the first time in decades alongside rich works of classic literature. Simultaneously, we gave initial approval to Social Studies standards that would erase years of woke historical revisionism, teaching factual history with a focus on the greatness of America and Texas.”
If finalized, this decision will impact more than 5.5 million Texas students and influence classrooms nationwide. As one of the largest textbook markets in the country, Texas often sets the standard for educational content adopted by other states.
The vote follows a highly engaged public hearing at the Texas State Capitol on April 7 that lasted more than 14 hours. Nearly 400 individuals and organizations, from across the political spectrum, signed up to speak, including the Center for American-Islamic Relations.
Conservatives who testified emphasized the importance of teaching historically accurate content rooted in America’s founding. Fran Rhodes, President of True Texas Project, stated, “Islam has nothing to do with the founding of the USA or Texas and should not be included in U.S. and Texas history curriculum. Sharia practices are in conflict with both the U.S. and the Texas Constitution—not to be considered in a social studies curriculum.”
The hearing highlighted the growing movement among Texans to restore a more complete and traditional understanding of America’s past.
This effort was supported by a coalition of conservative organizations and engaged citizens, including True Texas Project, Texas Values, Texas Eagle Forum, Grassroots America, Intercessors for America, Denton County Republican Party, and Patriot Academy. Patriot Mobile also helped mobilize participation by consolidating and providing talking points, and sponsoring a bus from the Dallas-Fort Worth area that departed early in the morning to bring participants to Austin.
“To preserve the future of our country, we must ensure the next generation understands its Christian foundation,” said Jenny Story, Chief Operating Officer of Patriot Mobile. “That begins with telling the truth about our history—recognizing the role faith and the Bible played in shaping our nation. We were honored to support Texans who showed up to make their voices heard.”
A final vote is expected in June. If approved, the updated standards would go into effect in the coming years, marking a pivotal shift in how history is taught in Texas classrooms and beyond. Patriot Mobile will continue to support efforts that ensure future generations learn about our nation’s Christian foundation.
