Texas is about to require specific texts to be read in language arts courses. Some of those texts include Bible verses.

Today, I'm digging into how this policy came to exist, the rationale that the Texas Education Agency and State Board of Education are using to justify pushing it into our standards, and the political forces that have expedited the process.

Host and editor: Abby Gray

Want more education policy news? Follow my socials:

/ schooledpolicy

/ schooledpolicy

Sources-

House Bill 1605: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R...

TEA required reading list (draft): https://tea.texas.gov/academics/instr...

TEA Jan 9th, 2025 presentation to the board: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/instr...

TEA Nov 19th, presentation to the board: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/instr...

Cultural Literacy Reconsidered (Ernest House et. al): https://www1.udel.edu/educ/whitson/89...

E.D. Heirch Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Mississippi Department of Ed, Training Slide Deck: https://mdek12.org/wp-content/uploads...

Derek Thomson Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6AFC...

Greg Abbot Proclamation: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/p...

CAIR Website (Dispelling Rumors): https://www.cair.com/dispelling-rumor...

Video of Julie Pickren on Real America's Voice: / 1691945642053126

Julie Pickren SBOE Facebook: / julie4sboe

Brandon Hall Facebook: / hallfortexas

In this episode, I explain what school vouchers are, and the function they are supposed to serve. As I dig into the details of the Utah, Arizona, and Indiana voucher programs, issues are revealed that show how vouchers really do not provide school choice for populations of students that cannot afford to pay for alternative schooling.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Raining again, Wind Down, and Balearic Paradox

Reference materials for this episode:

• Idealschool.com- Utah voucher program
• Edchoice.org article- Utah voucher program
• Salt Lake Tribune article
• Arizona- Grand Canyon Institute
• Raise Your Hand Texas
• Indiana Department of Education report

Thank you to Mr. Andrew on TikTok for your contribution to this episode!

In this episode, I detail my education background, explain why I created Teacher Nuggets, and describe what I hope to achieve/ bring awareness to through this platform.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Raining again and Balearic Paradox

In this final part of the "What's wrong with our Education System?" conversation, me and my friend Kaylynn Trevillion look at how the pedagogical practices (teaching styles) of educators are commonly centered around the teacher rather than the student. We discuss reasons for why this approach is so prevalant in education as well as reasons why it should be retired.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Raining again and Balearic Paradox

Welcome back to the conversation hosted by me and my friend Kaylynn Trevillion where we detail some issues with American Education. Part 2 of this three part conversation focuses in on the downfalls of curriculum and academic focus in America. Listen in as we share opinions on why this education focus is a detriment to true learning, and the rippling effects it has on student futures.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Wind Down, Raining again, and Balearic Paradox

Today's episode is part 1 in a three part series where I am joined by my friend Kaylynn Trevillion, to discuss some issues in the American education system. In part 1, we overview the teacher shortage, burnout, and low teacher pay.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Wind Down, Raining again, and Balearic Paradox

Today's episode features part 2 of our dive into philosophy, this round focused on the 3 theories of learning which attempt to explain HOW learning happens. I'll give you a crash course over Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Humanism and explain what these theories look like in action in the classroom. Listen to uncover which theory you most align with in order to shape the way you deliver instruction.

• Music from Podcast.co featuring the songs Wind Down, Coffee & Conversation, Raining again, and Balearic Paradox

**Special shoutout to #1 fan of the show: Grandpa Gary!

Today's episode features part 1 of our dive into philosophy. I introduce the basics of 4 philosophical schools of thought, and the education pholosophies that were born from them. Listen to learn about these different ways of thinking, and find out why it is important to choose your own philosophy.

• Music: Balearic Paradox from Podcast.co

Curriculum Foundations Textbook:

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2017). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Link

Article by Douglas McDermid describing pragmatism:

https://iep.utm.edu/pragmati/#:~:text=Pragmatism%20is%20a%20philosophical%20movement,ideas%20are%20to%20be%20rejected

Crash Course Philosophy video describing existentialism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaDvRdLMkHs

On this episode of the Teacher Nuggets Podcast, I talk about the effects of "behavior grading", a term I use for giving grades based on work ethic or lack thereof. Does this practice help or harm in the grand scheme of things? Let's dig into it.

Music: Balearic Paradox from Podcast.co