Last month, the State Board of Education approved updates and revisions to the optional curriculum it provides to districts throughout the state.

Known as Bluebonnet Learning, the revised curriculum provides both math and reading/language arts lessons, replacing three other curricula currently being used by districts, including Round Rock ISD.

Bluebonnet’s inclusion of Bible- and Christianity-based stories has caused confusion among families and staff alike. To help offer some clarity, Round Rock ISD is providing background and other basic information for our community.

What’s new: Bluebonnet Learning replaces the Amplify, Carnegie, and Eureka curricula, which covered both Reading/Language Arts in kindergarten through fifth grade and math in kindergarten through grade 12.

Bluebonnet Math is the same as the TEKS-aligned materials that Eureka and Carnegie provided. The newly named math curriculum does not include examples that draw from Christianity.

“Round Rock ISD students have seen strong growth in learning and achievement through the use of the state’s high-quality math curriculum, Eureka and Carnegie. We are proud of their successes, and we will continue to use these lessons, which are one part of Bluebonnet Learning, “ said Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez.

The district’s adoption and use of Bluebonnet Math will be gradual, in alignment with the current long-term curriculum plan. Next school year, Round Rock ISD students will use the lessons in second, third, seventh, and eighth grades.

Regarding Bluebonnet RLA: All Bluebonnet lessons—as with all state-provided materials—are available to be modified by districts as needed. This modification could include removing Christianity-based lessons/activities or increasing overall diversity among characters and content of stories.

“Our staff will continue to look more deeply into the Bluebonnet reading and language arts curriculum to assess the appropriateness of the lessons for our community. At this time, we will not adopt or implement Bluebonnet Learning RLA,” Azaiez said.

The exploration of Bluebonnet Learning RLA will include a committee of internal and external stakeholders who will review and consider revisions to the selected literature. Any revisions would help ensure that lessons are in alignment with district values around access and opportunity.

The committee will review the lessons and suggest modifications to be sure that Round Rock ISD’s curriculum is more inclusive and representative of the community we serve.

Funding for adoption: Districts are not required to adopt or use the digital-only materials, but those who do receive $60 per student — $20 per student for printing and $40 per student for physical items such as math manipulatives and teacher editions or bundles.

Districts receive funding for adopting either the math or the RLA curriculum. The money must be used for purchasing and printing Bluebonnet materials.

What’s next: Details regarding the curriculum review committee will be shared with the community in early 2025.