Schools Need the Texas Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum

A description of the Texas Bluebonnet Learning Curriculum and a discussion of why Texas schools need this to instruct its children.

Now, more than ever, America must cultivate our nation’s future. As a parent of three, a military veteran and the Chairman of the Texas State Board of Education, I’ve seen firsthand how our nation’s resilience depends on the education and character of its citizens. Our schools are not solely institutions for academic knowledge; they are the bedrock of our democratic republic.

Bluebonnet Learning and the reasons for it

Yet, troubling trends suggest we are failing to equip our children with the civic understanding and critical thinking skills needed to lead our nation into a brighter future. It is with this urgent need in mind, that Texas is on the verge of approving the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum, an initiative that places educational excellence, American values and civic literacy at the heart of our schools.

Recent data paints a dire picture for American children: Students are losing their grasp of basic American civic knowledge. The statistics are staggering, frightening and, frankly, un-American. Fewer than one in four U.S. eighth graders are proficient in civics, and only 13 percent of eighth graders are proficient in U.S. history. These statistics aren’t just numbers– they are a warning for the future of the American republic.  

According to the Heritage Foundation, “Civics education in America is in crisis, and Americans should recommit themselves to the teaching of civics in the classroom and at home.” Their recommendation to state policymakers is to provide parents and classroom teachers with better civics education. Their survey revealed that “two-thirds of parents and nearly three-quarters of teachers share a strong desire to see greater emphasis on civics education.” Additionally, “both parents and teachers agree that the most important function of civics in modern-day America is ‘practical information and guidance on how to carry out the duties of a citizen.”

Need for civic education

Recognizing our nation’s important responsibility to serve as a beacon of self-determination, Ronald Reagan famously said,

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

Without civic education and an understanding of our Constitution, the rule of law, and the responsibilities of citizenship, that freedom will be put at risk.

Bluebonnet Learning is Texas’ answer to this crisis. These instructional materials don’t just teach reading and English–they prioritize civic literacy, reinforce values of good citizenship and empathy, showcase Texas’ rich history, and paint a patriotic picture of our nation’s history, government, and values – as well as an optimistic vision for our future. By emphasizing critical thinking, Texas children will be able to distinguish fact from fiction and make informed decisions, better equipping them with the tools for future civic engagement.

What sets Bluebonnet Learning apart is its unapologetic celebration of American ideals. The curriculum introduces students to the stories of patriots, innovators, and visionaries who have shaped this great nation, giving our students the ability to see themselves as heirs to a legacy of courage, determination, and sacrifice.

Making an educational choice

Our nation’s future hinges on the choices we make today about education. Without a generation that understands and cherishes American ideals, we risk losing the very freedoms that make this country exceptional.

Texas is at the forefront of this much-needed change in the trajectory of our nation’s future, and enacting the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum will ensure that our schools remain the training grounds for informed and engaged young Americans. The choices we make for our children’s education will define the destiny of our nation. It’s time for what President Reagan called a “rediscovery of our values and our common sense.”

The time to act is now. Our children deserve nothing less and our country demands more.

This article was originally published by RealClearPolicy and made available via RealClearWire.