The Texas State Board of Education voted Friday to approve a new reading curriculum. It requires K-12 public school students in Texas to read selected Bible stories and scripture passages in English and literature classes beginning in 2030.
The changes will affect more than 5 million students and require assigned works to be read in their entirety.
The Republican-controlled board approved standards that add biblical passages alongside traditional literary works. Elementary students will read picture-book adaptations of Bible stories including “David and Goliath” and “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.”
Fourth-grade students will begin reading New Testament passages about Jesus.
Middle school students will study additional Bible passages. High school students will read them alongside Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Susan Perez, founder of Citizens for Education Reform, addressed the board. She said, “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.”
Brooke Mazel, a retiree from Lubbock, also said America should celebrate its Christian roots.
Opponents argued the curriculum favors Christianity over other faiths. Elva Mendoza of the Texas Freedom Network said students from all faith backgrounds “should all feel welcome in Texas schools.” She argued the required reading list elevates only one religious text.
Kimmie Fink is the mother of an active-duty military family stationed in Texas. She said she hoped her children’s constitutional religious freedom rights would remain protected. Democratic board member Tiffany Clark said many of her constituents believe “Bible lessons should be taught on Sundays.”
The board also approved revisions to the state’s social studies standards. The changes place greater emphasis on Texas and U.S. history. They also expand lessons on communism and reduce some instruction on global history and cultures.
Public Debate Centers on Government Overreach and Religious Freedom
The board’s decision prompted debate online, with many users criticizing the curriculum and raising concerns about religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
One user wrote, “This is Government Overreach.” Another said, “Someone better sue the [expletive] state. This is clear preference of one religion over another in violation of our constitutional rights.” A separate response added, “So much for freedom of religion eh?” while another quoted the First Amendment, writing, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”
The curriculum changes are scheduled to take effect in 2030.
