A Florida education bill under legislative consideration includes provisions that could allow the state to develop its own school curriculum, raising concerns among some education experts about whether the state might follow Texas’ example with Bible-based instructional materials.

Senate Bill 7036, a 40-page education measure, would permit school districts to purchase instructional materials developed by or under the direction of the Florida Department of Education. The only requirement is that the materials align with state teaching standards.

Supporters argue the legislation could reduce costs for school districts, as state-developed resources could be offered free or at low cost. They also contend that some commercially available materials from publishers are not age-appropriate.

The bill has drawn comparisons to Texas’ Bluebonnet curriculum, a state-developed program for teaching English, reading, and math in elementary and middle schools. The curriculum has generated controversy because it incorporates Bible-based content, prompting questions about separation of church and state. Texas schools that adopt the free curriculum receive $60 per student annually in additional funding.

Pam Little, a member of the Texas Board of Education who describes herself as a Christian and conservative Republican, voted against the Bluebonnet curriculum. She cautioned Florida against developing its own instructional materials, arguing that this approach leads to standardized education that fails to address diverse learning styles.

Little noted that the Texas Education Agency has corrected nearly 4,200 errors in the curriculum, including improper use of hundreds of images without permission. She also reported quality issues with the physical books and objections from parents, including Christian parents who felt religious instruction should remain a family responsibility rather than a public school function.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Bluebonnet, calling its passage a step toward providing better education.

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