Full Breakdown
Texas Board Mandates Bible Passages in Statewide Required Reading List
6/29/2026, 8:44:21 AM
Core Event
The Texas State Board of Education approved a statewide required reading list that includes Bible passages for K-12 public schools. The 9-5 vote (with one abstention) authorizes roughly 200 texts—classics such as *Great Expectations* and biblical excerpts from Jonah, Psalms, Genesis and the New Testament—to be read in their entirety. The rollout begins with elementary grades in the 2030-31 school year and will affect more than 5 million students, about one-tenth of U.S. public-school enrollment.
Background & Timeline
A 2023 law required the board to designate at least one literary work per grade. In 2024 the board approved an optional Bible-infused curriculum; in 2025 Texas became the largest state to require Ten Commandments displays, a law upheld by a federal appeals court. The June 2026 vote adds mandatory biblical texts and rewrites K-8 social-studies standards, with high-school standards slated for later consideration.
Key Figures & Groups
Board members supporting the list include Republican pastor Brandon Hall and Republican Julie Pickren. Opponents on the board include Republican Evelyn Brooks and Democrat Tiffany Clark. Advocacy groups involved are the Texas Freedom Network, Citizens for Education Reform, the National Council of Teachers of English (Antero Garcia), and PEN America’s Freedom to Read (Kasey Meehan). Religious voices include Rabbi Joshua Fixler and Texas Freedom Network deputy director Carisa Lopez.
Why It Matters
Texas educates roughly 5.5 million public-school students; its curriculum decisions often influence national policy. Critics argue the list privileges Christianity, limits religious diversity and may conflict with the Establishment Clause. Proponents contend that Judeo-Christian traditions are integral to American history and literature.
Official Statements & Responses
Board members asserted the curriculum provides “important insight into the moral and philosophical traditions that have shaped Western civilization.” Supporters such as Susan Perez of Citizens for Education Reform emphasized teaching the nation’s founding values. The Texas Freedom Network warned the list “centers Christianity above all other faiths.” Board member Evelyn Brooks highlighted concerns about teacher autonomy.
Criticism & Opposition
Opponents contend the mandate breaches constitutional separation of church and state, lacks representation of non-Christian faiths and imposes a “Western-centric” view that omits contributions of Black, Brown, Indigenous and Muslim peoples. Rabbi Fixler warned teachers would be forced to “teach religion” rather than “teach about religion.” The Texas Freedom Network and PEN America described the policy as “almost de facto censorship.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of titles—estimates range from 150 to roughly 300 before trimming. Student counts vary between 5 million and 5.5 million. The vote is reported as 9-5 in some accounts and 9-5-1 in others. Implementation details for high-school social-studies standards remain pending.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We’re going to stop watering down American history. We’re going to teach the truth. Our nation was founded as a Christian nation, and Texas is a Christian state,” — Brandon Hall, board member, pastor
> “We need to focus on what our nation was founded on and not apologize for that. It is the truth and we should not be afraid.” — Susan Perez, Citizens for Education Reform
> “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.” — Elva Mendoza, Texas Freedom Network
> “There is a difference between teaching about religion and teaching religion, and these texts are going to put Texas teachers in the position of teaching religion to our kids,” — Joshua Fixler, Rabbi
What’s Next
The board will phase the list into classrooms beginning in 2030, while legal challenges are anticipated. High-school social-studies revisions are scheduled for review in September 2026.
