Considering Bible-Focused Electives in Cy-Fair ISD: Why Now?
Cy-Fair ISD is contemplating adding two new electives—“Literature and the Bible” and “Western Civilization and the Bible”—to its curriculum. These courses aim to offer students a broader perspective on cultural literacy by exploring the Bible’s influence on literature and Western civilization.
But why now?
Given the recent debates about religion in public schools, many parents and community members are questioning the timing and motivation behind this proposal.
The Background: Religion’s Place in Cy-Fair ISD
This isn’t the first time religion has come up in Cy-Fair ISD’s board discussions. Over the past year, the district has been embroiled in controversies, from debates over hiring chaplains to removing chapters from textbooks that delved into vaccines, cultural diversity, and climate change. One of the most notable removals was a chapter defining various religions and sects within a section on human spirituality.
So, why introduce Bible-focused electives now?
Parents like Dave Mahon are understandably skeptical. During a recent public comment session, he expressed his concerns: “The class has apparently been available to us for years, and I want to know why now, during a time of financial crisis and teacher shortages? Who’s going to teach it? Why now, coming on the heels of the chaplain debate?”
These questions echo a broader concern: Is the introduction of these courses a response to a genuine educational need, or is it a move influenced by recent controversies?
A Closer Look at Bible Literacy Courses in Texas
Bible literacy courses aren’t new in Texas. In fact, they’ve been part of the curriculum since 1914, although they were officially codified in the Texas Education Code in 2007. Despite this long history, these courses are not widely offered or taken.
According to Mark Chancey, a religious studies professor at Southern Methodist University who has extensively studied the Bible’s role in public education, only a “small percentage” of Texas school districts offer these electives. Data from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reveals that in the 2020-2021 school year, only about 45 ISDs and charter schools provided a Bible study elective. This is out of roughly 1,200 ISDs and charters across the state.
Even more telling is the low student interest. During the 2023-2024 school year, only 1,203 high school students out of over 1.5 million enrolled in public education in Texas took a Bible-focused course.
This lack of demand raises further questions about why Cy-Fair ISD is considering these courses now.
The Challenges of Implementing Bible-Focused Electives
Large, diverse school districts often avoid offering Bible-focused electives due to the potential pitfalls. The primary concern is how these courses are presented. If the Bible is taught as straightforward, unproblematic history, it can inadvertently make a religious claim, which is problematic in a public school setting.
Cy-Fair ISD would be the largest Texas district to offer these classes if they move forward, making the stakes even higher.
Superintendent Douglas Killian has stated that the goal is to provide more options for students, akin to the district’s offerings of Mexican American and African American studies. But is this enough to justify the introduction of Bible-focused electives?
The Textbook in Question: “The Bible and its Influence”
The textbook up for approval, “The Bible and its Influence,” is widely used in Texas school districts. According to Chancey, it is one of the most comprehensive curricula available for Bible literacy courses. The book is praised for its balanced approach, acknowledging different interpretations of biblical passages.
For example, in discussing the book of Isaiah, the textbook points out that Christians traditionally interpret certain verses as references to Jesus, while also explaining how these verses are understood within Judaism.
However, the textbook is not without its flaws. Chancey notes that it emphasizes how abolitionists drew inspiration from the Bible to fight against slavery in the U.S. but fails to equally address how some used the Bible to justify slavery. This omission could lead to a skewed understanding of the Bible’s role in history.
Despite its strengths, the textbook’s effectiveness ultimately depends on the teacher’s ability to present the material without bias—a challenge in any public school setting.
The Potential Impact on Cy-Fair ISD
If Cy-Fair ISD moves forward with these electives, they must carefully consider the implications. The district’s curriculum and instruction staff have assured that resources will be provided to teachers, but details on what these resources will be remain vague.
The course’s success will hinge on how well it is integrated into the broader educational framework. For instance, while the Bible will not be provided as instructional material, students may reference scripture excerpts from their own Bibles. The course will focus on developing an awareness of religious content and its influence on literature and Western civilization—a goal that, if achieved, could indeed benefit students.
But there are still unanswered questions:
- Will the district provide similar courses focusing on other religious texts?
- How will the district ensure that the course is taught without promoting religious ideology?
- And most importantly, will students and parents embrace this new offering?
Moving Forward: A Call for Inclusivity
As Cy-Fair ISD considers introducing these Bible-focused electives, it’s crucial to remember that public schools serve diverse communities. While understanding the Bible’s influence on literature and Western civilization is valuable, so too is understanding the impact of other religious and cultural texts.
Chancey suggests that if a school district chooses to offer Bible literacy courses, they should also provide courses that explore other religions. This approach would ensure a more inclusive and balanced curriculum that reflects the diversity of the student body.
Ultimately, the introduction of Bible-focused electives in Cy-Fair ISD presents an opportunity to broaden students’ cultural literacy. But it must be done with careful consideration, transparency, and a commitment to inclusivity.
Learn more
- Bible literacy courses: Texas Bible Literacy Project
- Cultural literacy: National Council for the Social Studies
- Religious studies: Southern Methodist University Religious Studies Department
- Texas Education Code: Texas Constitution and Statutes
- Cy-Fair ISD: Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
