Texas makes Bible passages required reading for public school students
14 hours ago
- #Religion in Schools
- #Texas Education Board
- #Education Policy
- Texas now mandates Bible passages as required reading for public school students, marking the first statewide requirement of its kind.
- Bible stories will be compulsory reading, integrated into the curriculum for over 5 million students, starting with elementary school in 2030.
- The state education board, controlled by Republicans, approved the plan, which expands on a 2023 law requiring designated literary works for each grade.
- Excerpts from books like Jonah, Psalms, Lamentations, and Genesis will be included from seventh grade and into high school.
- Critics argue the move violates church-state separation, lacks diversity, and favors Christianity, while supporters cite the historical role of Judeo-Christian traditions.
- The curriculum has also been criticized for its focus on older works by white male authors, despite Texas's diverse student population.
- This decision aligns with broader efforts, including Trump's policies, to increase religion's role in public schools and may influence national education policy.