The Texas Bible reading program is the latest in America’s war on traditional schools
For years, the debate over religion in America’s public schools has played out in courtrooms, classrooms and election campaigns. Now, Texas has become the latest battleground after approving a statewide reading program that makes Bible stories required reading for more than five million public school students. The decision, approved by the Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education, will begin to be issued in 2030. It includes passages from the Bible along with classics such as Great Expectations and Don Quixote. Although the Bible is central to our understanding of American history and literature, this movement crosses the boundaries of the legal separation of religion and state.The latest decision is part of a political shift in Texas rather than a permanent education reform. Over the past few years, the Republican-led state has enacted a series of policies aimed at expanding religious services in public schools. In 2023, Texas became the first state in the US to allow schools to hire teachers to instruct students. In 2024, it approved a basic Bible study course. Lawmakers also passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, which was recently upheld by an appeals court. The official Bible reading list is the latest addition to the growing list.
More than the stories in the Bible
The education board did not stop with the reading list. This week, it also approved major changes to Texas’ K-8 public education curriculum. According to the Texas Tribune, the revised curriculum places more emphasis on Christianity, western civilization and Texas history while reducing interest in race, geography and culture. Other changes to the high school curriculum are still being considered.The reading list and curriculum changes together represent an effort to reform the way American history is taught. and reclaiming a history that is said to have been neglected.
What happens in Texas, doesn’t stay in Texas
Texas not only runs one of America’s largest schools; helps create what students across the country read. The state has about 5.5 million public school students, about one in 10 public school children in the United States. Because of its size, publishers often create textbooks and teaching materials with Texas education in mind. Academics say changes made in Texas often affect what is printed and sold in other states. This makes education decisions in Texas more important than similar reforms elsewhere.
A big push for self-control
The Bible reading plan comes as Republican leaders across the United States seek a greater role for religion in public education. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to protect and promote religious beliefs in schools. During his 2024 campaign, he pledged to “help restore prayer in our schools” and said his administration would “protect Christians in our schools.” Its academic center also pledges to protect religious freedom and promote religious fundamentals.A number of Republican-led states have also enacted religious education policies. Louisiana has moved to require the Ten Commandments in classrooms, while education officials in Oklahoma have pushed for greater use of the Bible in teaching. Supporters say that these approaches recognize the influence of Jewish and Christian traditions on American history and values. Critics, however, say public schools should be religiously neutral and warn that state-sponsored religious education could alienate students from Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and non-religious communities.
The question of the Constitution
At the heart of the debate is the First Amendment. American courts have held that public schools may teach about religion such as history, literature or culture, but they may not promote or condone a particular religion. With implementation set to begin in 2030, legal challenges are expected, meaning the debate over religion in America’s classrooms is far from over.Texas’ ratings are almost the same as the state’s school reading list. It reflects the growing debate over who gets to say what the American people are, what children should learn in public schools and how religion should influence government-sponsored education.
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