ISGH to Host SBOE Standards Press Conference, CAIR-Texas Supports Community Response
Houston Faith and Civil Rights Groups to Challenge Texas Social Studies Standards
Houston-area Muslim, interfaith and public-school community representatives are scheduled to outline concerns Wednesday over newly approved Texas social studies curriculum standards, which they contend could affect how religion, civil rights and diverse communities are represented in classrooms.
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston will host the 11 a.m. CDT press conference at its River Oaks Islamic Center, with participation from public-school families, faith leaders, civil rights advocates and representatives of CAIR-Texas.
The gathering follows the Texas State Board of Education’s approval of updated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, social studies standards. Those standards provide a framework for classroom instruction and instructional materials in Texas public schools.
CAIR-Texas and other participants plan to raise concerns that the standards emphasize Islam through conflict while omitting cultural and scientific contributions, including algebra. The organizations also argue that the curriculum softens or excludes elements of racial and civil rights history, citing the characterization of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the omission of Mexican-American civil rights milestones.
The groups further say Palestinian-American history is absent from the K-12 curriculum framework.
CAIR-Texas described the changes as an issue of religious freedom and educational integrity, saying Texas students should receive a fuller account of the state’s and nation’s history. The organization said it would stand with families seeking what it considers fair treatment of all religious traditions in public education.
The event will be held at the River Oaks Islamic Center, 3110 Eastside St. in Houston. A livestream is planned on CAIR Houston’s Instagram account and the Islamic Society of Greater Houston’s Facebook page.