Texas makes Bible parts required reading in public school

The Texas Board of Education gave the final green light to a statewide reading list that makes Bible stories and some passages of Scripture required reading for public school students. The board, which is primarily comprised of Republicans, passed the new curriculum plans in a 9-5-1 vote on Friday. The changes will start to take effect in the 2030-31 school year and will impact more than 5.5 million students statewide. The board also passed an updated social studies curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade, which includes Biblical concepts and figures.

Julie Pickren, a Republican board member, told The Texas Tribune that the readings will give students insight into the moral and philosophical traditions that have shaped Western civilization. But Republican Evelyn Brooks voted against the measure, telling the Houston Chronicle that it would take away teachers’ autonomy.

The new reading list follows after Texas passed a law last year requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom.

What Bible passages will the new curriculum include? Various biblical passages will be required across grade levels as part of the reading list and social studies curriculum, such as:

• Sixth graders will be required to compare the role of Harriet “Moses” Tubman’s in the Underground Railroad to the Biblical Moses’ role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

• Seventh graders will read Psalm 23, also known as the Shepherd’s Psalm, and the Book of Jonah.

• High schoolers will read portions of David and Goliath’s story, along with several chapters from Lamentations and Genesis.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on initial discussions over the new reading list.