The Texas Board of Education voted 9-5 Friday to approve a required reading list that includes Bible passages for the state's more than 5 million public school students. One board member abstained from voting. The list will take effect beginning with the 2030-31 school year for elementary school students and contains roughly 200 texts, including books, essays, and passages from the Bible alongside works such as Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" and passages from the New Testament.
The decision came after intense debate between supporters and critics who have closely watched the measure unfold.
Supporters of the required reading list argue that Judeo-Christian traditions are fundamental to the nation's founding and should be reflected in classroom instruction. They contend the measures restore basic Judeo-Christian teachings to school systems, which many have said are historically significant.
Elva Mendoza, legislative communications associate for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, told The Associated Press that the reading list lacked diversity and did not give teachers and students the flexibility to choose what they read.
"Kids of all faith backgrounds and no faith are served by Texas schools and they should all feel welcome in Texas schools," Mendoza said. "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."
The board's decision follows other recent Texas education measures, including mandatory Ten Commandments displays in classrooms, chaplain hiring in public schools, and an optional Bible-infused curriculum. The state had already mandated that the Bible's Ten Commandments be displayed in all public schools, a decision that was upheld by a federal appeal court earlier this year. The board was also expected to vote Friday on a new social studies curriculum that links Bible stories with American history.
The Texas Board of Education voted 9-5 Friday to approve a required reading list that includes Bible passages for the state's more than 5 million public school students. One board member abstained from voting. The list will take effect beginning with the 2030-31 school year for elementary school students and contains roughly 200 texts, including books, essays, and passages from the Bible alongside works such as Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" and passages from the New Testament.
Education observers say this appears to be the first statewide required reading list of its kind in the United States. The decision came after intense debate between supporters and critics who have closely watched the measure unfold.
Supporters of the required reading list argue that Judeo-Christian traditions are fundamental to the nation's founding and should be reflected in classroom instruction. They contend the measures restore basic Judeo-Christian teachings to school systems, which many have said are historically significant.
Critics argued the required reading list promotes Christianity over religious diversity and civil rights while blurring the constitutional separation of church and state. Elva Mendoza, legislative communications associate for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, told The Associated Press that the reading list lacked diversity and did not give teachers and students the flexibility to choose what they read.
"Kids of all faith backgrounds and no faith are served by Texas schools and they should all feel welcome in Texas schools," Mendoza said. "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."
Critics say these decisions are at odds with the Constitution's "establishment clause," long understood by courts as separating church and state.
The board's decision follows a series of education measures in Texas. The state had already mandated that the Bible's Ten Commandments be displayed in all public schools, a decision that was upheld by a federal appeal court earlier this year. Texas also allows public schools to hire chaplains to counsel students and approved an optional Bible-infused curriculum. The board was also expected to vote Friday on a new social studies curriculum that links Bible stories with American history.
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