Texas Republican State Board Approves Bible Passages for Over 5 Million Students

Texas’ Republican-controlled State Board of Education approved a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible passages, with the rollout staggered starting with elementary school students in 2030.

“What to know about the decision to make Bible stories required reading in Texas public schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Bible stories have become required reading for more than 5 million public school students in Texas”

AP News

The plan, approved on Friday in a 9-5 vote, includes Bible passages about Adam and Eve and from the book of Exodus, where God speaks to Moses through a burning bush.

AP News

Supporters said the reading list reflects Judeo-Christian traditions they argue were essential to the nation’s founding, while critics said it infringes on religious freedoms and lacks diversity.

The BBC reported that the required readings “don’t come into effect until 2030,” and the New York Times described the list as a common set of books that millions of students across Texas must read, including excerpts from the Bible.

Brandon Hall, a Republican member of the board of education, said, "We are bringing the Bible back into schools this week for the first time in 60 years," as the measure drew opposition over separation of church and state.

Felicia Martin, executive director of Texas Freedom Network, told the BBC that the reading list "centers Christianity above all other religious faiths and traditions," and said it omits contributions and histories of black, brown, indigenous people and other religious faiths.

BBC

The BBC reported the board approved the measure in a 9-5 vote with one Republican joining Democrats to vote against it, and it framed the debate as a row over religious freedoms.

The New York Times said Texas education officials argue the Bible is an essential piece of literature and important for understanding America’s founding and culture, while critics argued including it in English class violates separation of church and state.

The rollout is set to begin in 2030, and the BBC said the required readings include English literature classics such as Charles Dickens's Great Expectations and William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

“Texas public schools will require students to read Bible stories under a reading list approved by the state's education board Friday, widening conservative efforts to bring more Christian teachings into U”

CBS News

The AP reported that the mandated reading list will begin taking effect in 2030 and that picture-book stories for elementary students including “David and Goliath” and “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” are on the required reading list.

The AP also said by fourth grade students will encounter passages about Jesus in the New Testament, and it described how a proposed first-grade Noah’s Ark picture book was removed after a board member said it only had one page of text and voiced objections to descriptions of animals killed in the flood.

The New York Times described the list being edited up until it passed Friday afternoon and said it included draft books like “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White (third grade), “Night” by Elie Wiesel (eighth grade) and “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare (12th grade).