Texas education board approves Bible stories as required reading in public schools

June 27, 2026 - 11:04

The Texas State Board of Education voted Friday to approve a new required reading list for the state's more than 5 million public school students, a list that includes passages from the Bible. The decision marks a significant step in a broader conservative push to incorporate Christian teachings into American classrooms.

The new curriculum, which will affect elementary through high school students, mandates specific Bible stories and passages as part of English language arts and social studies lessons. Supporters of the measure argue that the Bible is a foundational text for understanding Western literature and history, and that its inclusion is not a religious endorsement but an educational necessity. They say students need to be familiar with biblical references to comprehend classic works of art, literature, and historical documents.

Opponents, however, see the move as a clear violation of the separation of church and state. Civil liberties groups and some parents have already signaled plans to challenge the policy in court, arguing it forces a specific religious viewpoint on a diverse student body. Critics also point out that the approved list does not include comparable texts from other major world religions, such as the Quran or the Bhagavad Gita, raising concerns about religious favoritism.

The board's decision is the latest in a series of actions by conservative-led states to reshape public education. Similar efforts in Florida and Oklahoma have also introduced religious content into school curricula, often sparking heated legal battles. The Texas ruling is expected to have a particularly wide impact, as the state's textbook and curriculum choices often influence publishers and school districts nationwide. The new reading requirements are set to take effect in the next school year, with local districts now scrambling to adjust their lesson plans.