Only part of Texas’ new Bluebonnet Learning curriculum will blossom in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
Trustees in December agreed to adopt the math portion of the state-developed instructional materials for kindergarten through eighth grade. They did not, however, take up the state’s new optional reading materials that fold biblical stories into lessons because of concerns about some reading passages and the State Board of Education’s narrow approval vote.
Administrators also said too many questions remained about its effectiveness to teach students how to read.
The State Board of Education approved Bluebonnet Learning in November. The reading curriculum garnered the most attention because of its inclusion of religious texts and was approved in an 8-7 vote. Other subjects in Bluebonnet mostly flew under the radar for approval.
“The math curriculum approved like that,” Superintendent Jim Chadwell said, snapping his fingers. “The reading, language arts (curriculum) has been really controversial on a number of levels, but there are concerns about the quality of it as well.”
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD administrators wanted to adopt another state-approved reading curriculum called Amplify, said Cindy Tucker, director of teaching and learning. However, costs were too prohibitive. Estimates showed Amplify would cost the district more than $2 million annually to roll out the instructional materials to kindergarten through fifth grade reading classes.
The Texas Legislature tied adoption of Bluebonnet Learning to financial incentives for school districts. Districts receive $60 per student regardless of subject.
Bluebonnet Learning is free to use, but school districts have to pay for printing costs, Tucker said.
The district eventually wants a new reading curriculum, but they want to wait for more options from the State Board of Education, Tucker said. The district is hoping to adopt a new reading curriculum for the 2026-27 school year.
In the meantime, the district plans to tweak its existing reading curriculum. Among the changes include increasing the complexity of reading passages; focusing on evidence-based discussions and writing; and using research-based instructional strategies effectively.
Bluebonnet Learning’s math curriculum is expected to be rolled out throughout the spring 2025 semester, Tucker said. Several classrooms in elementary and middle schools have already been using the math lessons.
Administrators plan to keep an eye on the Legislature, which convenes Jan. 14 in Austin, for further changes — including the possibility of the state mandating the use of Bluebonnet Learning, Tucker said.
Jacob Sanchez is a senior education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected] or @_jacob_sanchez. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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Jacob Sanchez is senior education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His work has appeared in the Temple Daily Telegram, The Texas Tribune and the Texas Observer. He is a graduate of St. Edward’s University.... More by Jacob Sanchez