Q&A: Texas board member says ‘the Founding Fathers would be proud’ of controversial changes
A divided State Board of Education in Texas last week approved new landmark curriculum standards for U.S. history and other social studies courses that mandates what will be taught in all of the state’s elementary, middle and high schools. The new standards will change the way history, government and economics are taught, while also encouraging high school students to question the concept of the separation of church and state.
The 9-5 vote – with Republicans prevailing – angered Democrats, who complained that political and religious views have been injected into new curricula that could end up being taught nationally, with textbook publishers traditionally using the large state of Texas as a template for the U.S. market.
David Bradley, a Republican member of the state board from Beaumont, Texas and a self-employed businessman, spoke with The Hechinger Report about the new curriculum standards, which he voted for. Bradley rejects the notion of a constitutional separation of church and state and believes the new standards will add needed “balance.” He made headlines when he offered “$1,000 to the charity of your choice if you can find it
