On Friday, the Republican-majority Texas State Board of Education made a significant move by approving a mandatory reading list that features selections from the Bible. This decision represents the latest initiative by conservative leaders aiming to broaden the presence of Christian teachings within public schools.
In a vote that concluded with a 9-5 outcome, accompanied by one abstention, the board sanctioned the reading list for the state’s over 5 million public school students.
The approved reading list is diverse, including timeless literary works such as Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” as well as passages drawn from the New Testament.
This decision followed a heated debate between its advocates and detractors. Education analysts monitored the proceedings closely, noting this may be the first statewide reading list of its kind in the United States.
The Texas State Board of Education has incorporated Bible passages into the mandatory reading list for public school students. (News Media-Elizabeth Heckman)
Critics argued the required reading list promotes Christianity over religious diversity and civil rights while blurring the constitutional separation of church and state.
Supporters argued Judeo-Christian traditions are fundamental to the nation’s founding and should be reflected in classroom instruction.
The required reading list will take effect beginning with the 2030-31 school year for elementary school students.
Mohammed Nasrullah, left, and Aziz Soomro, both of Houston, participate in an interfaith funeral-themed protest outside the Barbara Jordan Building in Austin on Monday, June 22, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The board’s decision follows a series of education measures in Texas, including allowing public schools to hire chaplains to counsel students, requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms and approving an optional Bible-infused curriculum.
A 2023 Texas law requires a mandatory list of at least one literary work to be taught at each grade level. The newly approved required reading list contains roughly 200 texts, including books, essays and passages from the Bible.
One critic of the decision, Elva Mendoza, legislative communications associate for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, told The Associated Press that the required reading list lacked diversity and did not give teachers and students the flexibility to choose what they read.
Ruth Nasrullah, left, and Rocio Fierro-Perez, political director for the Texas Freedom Network, participate in an interfaith funeral-themed protest outside the Barbara Jordan Building in Austin on Monday, June 22, 2026. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
“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,” she added.
The board was also expected to vote Friday on a new social studies curriculum that links Bible stories with American history.