Bible stories – The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education has approved a required Bible-reading list for public schools that would affect more than 5 million students, with the first changes scheduled to begin in 2030.
In Austin, Texas, the votes moved quickly Friday as the Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list that would bring Bible stories into classrooms for more than 5 million public school students statewide.
The plan, backed by conservatives who argue religion belongs in public education, now sets the stage for a fight that critics say will deepen concerns about the separation of church and state. If the list takes effect, it would begin in 2030, affecting students from kindergarten through high school.
For supporters, the decision fits into a broader push to make religious expression more visible in schools. For opponents, it forces a single religious tradition into learning environments where children come from many faiths—and none.
Susan Perez, founder of Citizens for Education Reform, told the education board during testimony this week, “We need to focus on what our nation was founded on and not apologize for that.” She added, “It is the truth and we should not be afraid.”
That argument landed in a state already moving down the same road. Last year. Texas became the first state to require every classroom to display the Ten Commandments. a measure recently upheld by a federal appeals court. The board’s Friday vote echoes that earlier mandate and reflects a wider conservative effort to introduce more religion into U.S. schools.
Republicans have also advanced other steps aimed at religious life in public education. In 2023, Texas became the first state to allow the hiring of chaplains to counsel students. The following year, the board narrowly approved an optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools.
Under the required reading list approved Friday, elementary students would read picture-book stories including “David and Goliath” and “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.” By fourth grade, the plan would have students encounter passages about Jesus in the New Testament.
Not every title survived the process. A proposed Bible story—a picture book about Noah’s Ark—was removed from a list of first-grade titles this week after a board member said it only had one page of text and raised objections to descriptions of animals killed in the flood.
By middle school. students would be expected to read several passages about Jesus. including passages from his most famous sermon and another where he instructs people to cast aside earthly anxiety and seek the kingdom of God. The curriculum also links religion and history through a reading from the Book of Lamentations. pairing its themes of the destruction of Jerusalem with readings about the Holocaust.
In high school, students would read the parable of the prodigal son, portions of the Book of Job, and the story of Adam and Eve.
Supporters and critics agree on one point: Texas is moving in ways few other states have tried. Antero Garcia. president of the National Council of Teachers of English and a Stanford University professor. said he does not know of any other state with such a required list. Educators at the district and school level usually choose what texts students will read, Garcia said.
Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, said she believes a reading list with mandatory religious texts is “unique” to Texas, adding that many state lists exist only as advised or suggested readings.
Critics, meanwhile, argue the curriculum leans heavily toward Christianity, raising concerns about whose beliefs are being centered. The required readings rely heavily on the King James Bible and more recent evangelical translations. which critics say lean too heavily on Christian interpretations of the texts.
The questions raised by opponents go beyond translation choices. They argue that religious stories should not be required in schools attended by thousands of children of Muslim. Buddhist. Hindu. and other faiths. as well as students who identify as atheist or agnostic. Frank Strong. an English and journalism teacher and co-founder of the student advocacy group Texas Freedom to Read. said. “I do think that it’s disturbing that there are no texts from other religious traditions that are included.”.
Texas has about 5.5 million public school students from kindergarten through high school. a population that would make the debate far bigger than any single classroom. And while the board’s action was taken Friday. the consequences are set to arrive later. with the required list taking effect in 2030—giving opponents and supporters time to keep pressing their case as the fight over religion in public education moves into the next chapter.
Texas State Board of Education Bible required reading public schools Ten Commandments church and state 2030 PEN America Texas Freedom to Read
So they’re making kids read Bible stories like that’s normal??
I mean I get people want values but public school is supposed to be for everyone, right? Starting in 2030 feels like they’re just giving themselves time to argue it out while families suffer now.
Wait is this gonna be like actual Bible quotes every day or just stories? My cousin said it’s basically the same as the Ten Commandments thing and I’m like… that already sounds unconstitutional. Also they said “single religious tradition” but isn’t it just like, history? Idk man.
Liberals act like religion automatically equals oppression but then they freak out when Texas does it. Like Texas already put up the Ten Commandments, so of course they’re gonna double down. I don’t even understand why they need a whole list, just let parents handle church stuff at home. Either way it’s gonna cause lawsuits and nobody learns anything.