The Texas Board of Education has approved a statewide reading list that will make Bible passages and stories required for millions of elementary and middle school students, a move critics say clashes with the First Amendment’s separation of church and state.
When the Texas Board of Education approved a new statewide book list. the controversy didn’t wait for classroom doors to open—it arrived with the vote itself. The list would make Bible passages and Bible stories required reading for millions of elementary and middle school students across the state. a major shift from the way reading lists have typically been chosen at the school or teacher level.
Texas has about 5 million public school students—about 11% of the nation’s public school population. according to The New York Times—and the board’s approval puts those students on a standardized path. The Times reports that the list will lean into the priorities of the state’s Republican-led school board.
The required reading stems from a state law enacted in 2023. That law requires education officials to pick at least one literary work for each grade level. and the approved list includes multiple titles for each grade. Teachers would still be able to teach books not on the list. but those choices would have to be added on top of the state-chosen titles rather than replacing them.
Supporters say the Bible belongs in the curriculum as essential literature for understanding American history. The approved list includes mainstream classics alongside religious texts, including E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web,” Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” and William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”.
Opponents view the decision differently—less as literature, more as a message about who religion is for. Critics argue that requiring Bible passages and stories violates the First Amendment principle of separation between church and state, and they say it favors Christianity over other religions.
“Kids of all faith backgrounds and no faith are served by Texas schools and they should all feel welcome in Texas schools. ” Elva Mendoza. legislative communications associate for the Texas Freedom Network. said. according to ABC News. “But this is sending the message to children that one and only one religious text — a Christian one — is worthy of making this required reading list.”.
Others are alarmed by what they see as a narrow model of “classic” literature. They argue the list’s emphasis on widely taught classics can limit diversity because many of those works are written by white and male authors. More than half of Texas’ students are Hispanic or Black, according to The Times.
Markesha Tisby. president of the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts. is pushing the board to narrow the list so teachers have more room to choose texts that fit their students. classrooms. and region. “With a list that’s so extensive. would teachers have the time or space to choose texts that are a great fit for their students. their classrooms. their region?” Tisby posed. according to The Times.
Some parents also say the policy intrudes on their right to shape their children’s religious education. particularly for families who are not Christian. Susan Perez. founder of Citizens for Education Reform—a Christian advocacy group—argued during a school board meeting on Monday. saying. “We don’t have to incorporate every religious belief in our history or in our literary works. because our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values.”.
The vote lands in a broader Texas school backdrop that has already tested the boundary between religion and public education. The state’s education code already requires K-12 schools to teach “religious literature. including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament. and its impact on history and literature.”.
In 2023, Texas became the first state to allow chaplains to counsel students. In 2024, the board approved a measure to give more funding to elementary schools that teach an optional Bible-infused curriculum. And just this year. a federal appellate court upheld a Texas law allowing the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms.
All of it is happening while the board prepares to vote on other sweeping changes. The required reading list is tied to a larger proposal to change statewide social studies curricula. which the Texas Tribune says includes the controversial book list. The plan would eliminate the current sixth-grade world cultures course. deemphasize world history outside of European tradition. and dedicate more focus to Texas and the United States.
While many Democrats say they are not in favor of the plan overall, the Texas Tribune reports they are hopeful some changes will make lessons more accurate and inclusive of historically underserved groups.
If the K-8 reading lists are approved, they would go into effect in the 2030-31 school year. The board’s Friday vote also includes whether the social studies changes would be phased in or introduced all at once in that same school year.
Texas Board of Education Bible required reading reading list First Amendment separation of church and state Texas schools social studies curriculum 2023 law K-8 education
So they’re forcing kids to read the Bible… just why.
I don’t get how this is allowed, like separation of church and state?? Next they’ll require prayers or something. Also the article says teachers can add other books but not replace?? sounds kinda pointless.
It’s not even that bad, Charlotte’s Web is on there too so it’s like normal reading list stuff, right? People act like it’s only Bible chapters but it’s mixed classics. I heard it’s based on a 2023 law so blame the law not the board? idk.
My cousin said Texas has “Bible required” for every grade now but the article sounds like just one work per grade? Either way, why does it have to be standardized statewide. If it’s “essential for history” then do they also require like Quran and Torah stories? Feels like they’re pushing Christianity and calling it literature.