Texas Mandates Bible Passages in Public School Reading Curriculums

The Texas Board of Education on Friday approved a mandated reading list for public school students that incorporates passages from the Bible.

The Republican-dominated board passed the measure in a 9-5 vote, with one member absent.

The curriculum changes will apply to more than five million public school students beginning in 2030.

Wider Conservative Push

The reading list marks the latest effort by Texas leaders to infuse the public education system with conservative and religious ideals.

The state previously mandated that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public schools.

A federal appeals court upheld the Ten Commandments directive earlier this year.

These directives follow similar actions by other Republican-led states seeking to integrate Christian teachings into public education.

Curriculum Contents and Opposition

The mandated reading list is broad and primarily consists of non-Biblical and classical texts.

Approved materials include Aesop's fables, Native American tales, and a children's version of Don Quixote.

Critics argue the educational mandates violate the U.S. Constitution's establishment clause, which courts have long interpreted as requiring the separation of church and state.

Opponents also note that the approved texts are largely written by white male authors, despite Texas having a majority of Latino and Black public school students.

Supporters of the measure argue that the inclusion of the texts restores historically significant Judeo-Christian teachings to the school system.