The Fordham Institute, a highly respected conservative think tank centered on education, ripped Texas' new social studies standards for, among other things, neglecting church-state separation, in a new report.

In a report being released today, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute gives the Texas social studies curriculum standards a "D" while accusing "the conservative majority" of using the curriculum "to promote its political priorities, molding the telling of the past to justify its current views and aims."

"Biblical influences on America's founding are exaggerated, if not invented. The complicated but undeniable history of separation between church and state is flatly dismissed," the group wrote.

Many advocates and state lawmakers are calling on the Board of Education to start over from the beginning crafting a social studies curriculum that is more reflective of what experts think, and less reflective of politicians'  goals.

The report grades and discusses all 50 states, not just Texas. You can download a copy here. (warning: they want to put you on the e-mail list in return)