Texas Board Approves Social Studies Curriculum

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a significant rewrite of the state's high school social studies curriculum, including controversial new standards that link radical Islam to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks and describe early Islamic history through a lens focusing on military campaigns and slavery. The Republican majority on the board finalized the changes on Friday, September 4, 2026, overriding objections from Muslim community members and some educators who argued the new material is inaccurate and promotes prejudice. Under the revised curriculum, students will be required to learn that radical Islam motivated the 9/11 attacks, moving beyond a focus solely on specific terrorist groups like al-Qaeda or individuals such as Osama bin Laden. The standards also mandate lessons on early Islam that include descriptions of Prophet Muhammad's military campaigns against Jewish and Christian tribes, the normalization of slavery, and the taking of female captives. The board also voted against removing the word "brutal" from descriptions of these campaigns, despite suggestions from some members.