Officials in Texas have backed a controversial new public school curriculum that would incorporate Christian lessons from the Bible as early as kindergarten. Eight out of 15 state school board members voted Tuesday to keep the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum on a list of K-5 reading and English language arts materials that could be used for the 2025-26 school year.

Texas public schools could use teachings from the Bible in lessons as an option for students from kindergarten through fifth grade under a proposal before the state board of education.

The state’s board of education narrowly voted to allow schools to start using the reading and language arts curriculum next fall if they choose.

Critics say Bluebonnet Learning — which will be optional but which schools would be paid to adopt — inappropriately centers on Christian theology and ideas.

Texas State Board of Education narrowly approved a new elementary school curriculum that has drawn widespread criticism for favoritism toward Christianity. The criticism is warranted, but it’s nonetheless unlikely that courts will find the Bluebonnet Learning Program an unconstitutional establishment of religion.