Texans Protest Proposed Social Studies Curriculum Changes Ahead of SBOE Meeting

Critics say revisions could reshape how topics like race, religion and U.S. history are taught in Texas classrooms.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:53pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting protesters holding signs with political symbols related to the social studies curriculum debate, rendered in bold, overlapping geometric shapes and vibrant colors.Protesters gather to voice concerns over proposed changes to Texas' social studies curriculum that could reshape how topics like race and religion are taught in classrooms.Austin Today

Protesters gathered outside the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) offices in Austin on Tuesday to express concerns over proposed changes to the state's K-12 social studies curriculum. The demonstrators, organized by groups like the Texas Freedom Network and Teach the Truth Coalition, argued the revisions could reshape how topics such as race, religion and U.S. history are taught in classrooms. The SBOE is set to vote on the curriculum changes on Friday.

Why it matters

The proposed social studies curriculum updates in Texas have sparked a heated debate over how history, civics and other sensitive topics should be taught in public schools. Critics argue the changes could lead to a whitewashed version of history that downplays the role of marginalized groups, while supporters say the revisions aim to strengthen civic understanding and ensure students have a clearer grasp of Texas state history.

The details

The outdoor rally on Tuesday was held as the SBOE met to consider the latest draft of the revised social studies standards, known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Former AISD social studies teacher Emily Glankler said the changes could mean 'students in my classroom would get a lot more out of being represented, of seeing people like themselves represented in the curriculum.' Alex McDonald with the Texas Coalition for Human Rights expressed concerns that the increased focus on Texas history could come 'at the expense of teaching about world history.' However, Mary Castle with Texas Values argued the revisions aim to ensure students understand the role of religion and Christianity in the nation's founding, which she said is 'very important for them to understand.'

  • The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) kicked off a weeklong meeting in Austin on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • The outdoor rally was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 as the SBOE met to consider the proposed social studies curriculum changes.
  • The SBOE is slated to vote on the curriculum changes on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Emily Glankler

A former AISD social studies teacher who criticized the proposed curriculum changes for not adequately representing diverse perspectives.

Alex McDonald

A representative of the Texas Coalition for Human Rights who expressed concerns that the increased focus on Texas history could come at the expense of teaching about world history.

Mary Castle

A representative of Texas Values who argued the revisions aim to ensure students understand the role of religion and Christianity in the nation's founding.

Texas Freedom Network

An organization that helped organize the protest against the proposed social studies curriculum changes.

Teach the Truth Coalition

A coalition that helped organize the protest against the proposed social studies curriculum changes.

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What they’re saying

“To me, students in my classroom would get a lot more out of being represented, of seeing people like themselves represented in the curriculum. Right now, most of the curriculum is still focusing on white cishet Christian history. Again, I believe that belongs in a history class as well, but it's much more about what they're leaving out in favor of those topics”

— Emily Glankler, Former AISD Social Studies Teacher

“I'm not against having Texas history covered. The issue is, if it's at the expense of teaching about the world history, that's a problem because what's going to matter most in terms of our society is them, our students, our children being able to live in, as was mentioned earlier, in a global world.”

— Alex McDonald, Representative, Texas Coalition for Human Rights

“So when it comes to the social studies curriculum, we're not telling kids what to believe, but it's very true and they need to recognize that our nation's founding was built on religion and Christianity. Even kindergarteners will learn that pilgrims came to the 13 colonies because they were facing religious persecution and so this is just a part of our history. It's very important for them to understand and even important for them to be good citizens and have civic virtue as well.”

— Mary Castle, Representative, Texas Values

What’s next

The Texas State Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the proposed social studies curriculum changes on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The takeaway

The debate over the Texas social studies curriculum revisions highlights the ongoing tensions around how sensitive topics like race, religion and U.S. history should be taught in public schools. While supporters argue the changes will strengthen civic understanding, critics contend the updates could lead to a whitewashed version of history that marginalizes diverse perspectives.