Texas makes Bible passages required reading for millions of public school students

The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education gave final approval on Friday to a comprehensive new statewide reading list. For the first time, it will make passages from the Bible required reading for more than 5 million public school students, alongside a more standard collection of books.

The rollout will be staggered, starting with elementary school students in 2030. The move stems from a 2023 Texas law requiring state education officials to designate at least one literary work per grade level. The board expanded on that mandate by recommending multiple texts for each grade. Teachers may still assign books outside the list but must do so in addition to the required selections.

The reading list specifies that excerpts from the Book of Jonah and the Book of Psalms will be required starting in seventh grade. Additional excerpts from the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Genesis will become part of the curriculum for high school students.

The curriculum has sparked strong criticism. Opponents argue it breaches the constitutional separation of church and state, lacks diversity, and gives preference to Christianity over other faiths. Supporters counter that Judeo-Christian traditions played a central role in the country's founding and should be represented in public schools.

Criticism also extends to the heavy emphasis on older works, many by white male authors, in a state where over half of public school students are Hispanic or Black.

Last year, Texas became the largest state to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom. Former President Donald Trump pledged to protect prayer in public schools, and during his first term, he introduced measures to make it easier for religious organizations to access federal programs. Texas, which educates roughly one in ten U.S. public school students, often influences education policy nationwide.