Texas BOE appoints David Barton as History Advisor for the Revision of Texas Social Studies Standards and there are Colorado Connections

Take Action -> Teach the Truth: Schools Are for Kids, Not Politics

What the hell, Texas? Truth & Liberty Board Member, evangelical author, and political activist for Christian nationalist causes, as well as WallBuilders Founder, David Barton, was appointed to a Social Studies advisory committee by the Texas Board of Education.

Warren Throckmorton, author of Getting Jefferson Right, who writes about Christian nationalism, history, and religion, had this to say on his latest Substack post, “Those who know Barton’s history will no doubt be puzzled at the praise of his expertise and accuracy. Along with my friend and co-author Michael Coulter, I filled a lengthy book (Getting Jefferson Right: Fact-Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson) with fact-checks of his historical claims. In 2012, that book influenced publisher Thomas Nelson to pull David Barton’s book on Jefferson from publication due to historical errors. My new book The Christian Past That Wasn’t will take up where the first book left off.” – David Barton Appointed Texas History Advisor

How Does this Connect to Colorado?

David Barton sits on the Truth and Liberty Coalition board with Richard Harris and Karen Conrad, who reside in the Colorado Springs area. In 2021, the Woodland Park, Colorado, School District was taken over by Charis Bible College. Richard Harris, Truth and Liberty board member, is the Director of Charis Bible College’s Practical Government School, which, according to the Charis Bible College website, provides training to positively impact government, engage with both city and state government bodies, participate in mock legislatures, and fulfill real-world practicum requirements, ultimately restoring God’s purpose in government.

Transform Colorado, a movement launched by Truth & Liberty, distributes questionnaires to candidates for Colorado school boards. After candidates complete the questionnaire, Transform Colorado creates school board voter guides that are then published on the Transform Colorado website. Transform Colorado also supplies a list of recommended curricula under its Resources Tab. Curricula include “One Room Schoolhouse” videos by WallBuilders, found on YouTube, the Hillsdale 1776 Curriculum, and American Minute, authored by Bill Federer, a speaker, author, and conservative Christian activist known for his work exploring America’s historical and religious heritage. He is the president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company, and is recognized for his daily radio segment, American Minute, and his television program, Faith in History.

In addition to the curriculum recommended by Transform Colorado, Advance Colorado, a conservative action-based organization with a focus on policy advocacy, supplies a “What to Teach” Report written by Dr. Debora Scheffel, a former member of the Colorado Board of Education and the Dean of the School of Education at Colorado Christian University. (It is also worth noting that Colorado Christian University Chancellor, Dr. Donald Sweeting, served on the drafting committee for the Heritage Foundation’s Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education.) 

Under the What to Teach Social Studies Helpful Resources Section of the What to Teach Report, David Barton’s book, 4 Centuries of American Education, published by WallBuilder Press, is listed as a resource.

Reviews of Barton’s Book (provided by AI)

David Barton’s book, Four Centuries of American Education, reviews the history of American education, arguing that it was founded on religious and moral principles but has become increasingly secularized. The book highlights early American heroes, the biblical foundations of colonial education, and compares the past emphasis on God and Scripture with today’s system, prompting analysis of the changes in public education. Reviews praise the book’s engaging style and concise length, making it suitable for a quick read or as a high school supplement; however, its historical perspective is rooted in a specific, conservative viewpoint. The book has been widely criticized by historians and academics for its historical inaccuracies, misuse of sources, and presentation of a biased, religiously motivated account of American educational history.  

“The most significant criticism is that Barton, who is not a trained historian, selectively presents historical evidence to fit his thesis.” 

In addition…..

• He is accused of misrepresenting and taking out of context the writings of figures like Thomas Jefferson and the founders of early American universities.
• Historians contend that Barton uses half-truths and unsubstantiated claims to support his narrative that a Christian-based curriculum has been deliberately removed from American public education.
• The book’s critics argue that its central purpose is not to provide an objective historical account, but to promote a specific religious and political agenda. 
•  Academic reviewers and fact-checking organizations have raised questions about Barton’s research methodology and sources. 
• Unlike peer-reviewed academic works, the book was published by a religious organization (WallBuilders) rather than a reputable academic press.
• The brevity of the book (around 63 pages) and the density of information mentioned in reviews suggest it offers a shallow, rather than a deep, historical analysis. 

Resources

• Telling Jefferson Lies: Debunking the Myth that America was Founded as a Christian Nation
• Andrew Wommack urges Christians to ‘take over’ Woodland Park, Teller County | Pikes Peak Courier
• Truth and Liberty Coalition Targets 30 School Boards, including Buena Vista, for what some call its “Rule the Godless” Initiative | Ark Valley Voice
• Christian activist David Barton will advise Texas State Board of Education during social studies overhaul | The Texas Tribune

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