Texas Board to Mandate Bible Stories in K-12 Curriculum

The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education will vote Friday on a plan that adds biblical stories and verses to the required reading list for all K-12 public-school students and revises K-8 social-studies standards. The list, posted online, includes about 200 titles such as picture-book versions of “David and Goliath,” “Daniel and the Lion’s Den,” and “Noah’s Ark,” plus Old- and New-Testament passages like the Beatitudes and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The social-studies overhaul drops the sixth-grade “World Cultures” course, expands Texas and U.S. history, and links biblical narratives with topics such as the Underground Railroad. Implementation is set for 2030-31; high-school history changes are delayed.

Associated Press

• Over 5.4 million students covered.

Associated Press

• Roughly 200 texts mandated; the King James Version is required.

Texas school board to vote on required Bible readings in public education

• About one-third of Texas adults identify as non-Christian.

CNN

Board members say biblical material provides context for works such as Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” and Dickens’s “Great Expectations.” Supporter Susan Perez, founder of Citizens for Education Reform, argues the curriculum reflects the nation’s “Judeo-Christian values.” Antero Garcia, president of the National Council of Teachers of English, notes the list is unique among states.

Texas school board to vote on required Bible readings in public education

Opponents claim the mandate blurs teaching about religion with teaching religion, infringes parental rights, and threatens the constitutional separation of church and state. Rabbi Joshua Fixler described the list as inappropriate for public school classrooms. Parent Kimmie Fink warned it could “trample” constitutionally guaranteed religious-freedom rights. Board member Tiffany Clark emphasized that members hold differing beliefs and cited divergent Bible translations. Elva Mendoza of the Texas Freedom Network said the policy signals that “one religious text … is worthy of required reading.”

CNN

Sources differ on high-school requirements: some describe extensive New Testament passages for fourth-grade students, while others note a pause on high-school changes pending further review. How the list will be incorporated into state assessments remains unspecified.

Texas school board to vote on required Bible readings in public education

• “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,” — Susan Perez, Citizens for Education Reform

CNN

• “Not all of us believe the same,” — Tiffany Clark, Texas State Board member

CNN

• “This list is full of Christian texts that are inappropriate for public school classrooms.” — Rabbi Joshua Fixler, Congregation Emanu El

CNN

• “Kids of all faith backgrounds and no faith are served by Texas schools and they should all feel welcome in Texas schools,” — Elva Mendoza, Texas Freedom Network

Texas school board to vote on required Bible readings in public education

The board votes Friday; if approved, the reading list and K-8 standards begin in 2030-31, with high-school revisions later. Both sides have signaled intent to continue public testimony and advocacy.

Associated Press