Texas Education Board Approves Mandatory Bible Passages for Schools Starting 2030

The Texas Education Board has approved mandatory reading lists for public school students that include passages from the Bible, marking the latest effort by state leaders to integrate religious values into the education system, according to Reuters.

The board, which holds a Republican majority, passed the reading lists with nine votes in favor, five against, and one member absent. These lists will apply to over five million students in public schools starting in 2030.

Previously, Texas mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in all public schools, a policy upheld earlier this year by a federal appeals court. This move aligns with similar initiatives in other Republican-majority states aiming to embed Christian teachings within public education.

Critics argue that such measures violate the constitutional separation of church and state, while supporters contend that these actions restore fundamental Judeo-Christian teachings to school curricula, which many regard as historically significant.

The required reading list is extensive and largely consists of non-religious and classical texts, including Aesop’s fables, stories about Native Americans, and simplified versions of texts for children. Observers have noted that a significant portion of the list comprises works authored by white male writers, despite the student population being predominantly Latino and Black.

Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, stated in a written release that the Texas Education Board’s decision attempts to misuse public schools to impose a narrow set of religious beliefs and indoctrinate a new generation of Americans with the false notion that the United States is a Christian nation.

Felicia Martin, executive director of the Texas Freedom Network, a progressive advocacy group, commented prior to the vote that the reading list prioritizes Christianity above all other religions and traditions.

She added that the texts reflect a Western-centric worldview that overlooks the contributions and histories of Native peoples, as well as other religions and traditions essential for a comprehensive understanding of history.