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The Texas State Board of Education approved a sweeping overhaul of the state’s English and literature curriculum last week, requiring public school students to read specific literary works — including Bible stories and passages alongside classic American literature — in a move that places Texas at the center of a national debate over religion’s role in public education.
The new curriculum, which will affect more than 5 million public school students, establishes mandatory reading lists for every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. Each required work must be read “in its entirety,” marking one of the nation’s most comprehensive state-directed literary canons for public schools.
The changes are scheduled to begin rolling out during the 2030-31 school year.
Supporters describe the curriculum as an effort to strengthen students’ understanding of Western literature, American history and the nation’s founding documents. Opponents argue the requirements elevate Christianity above other faiths and raise constitutional concerns about the separation of church and state.
Bible stories become required reading
The newly approved reading lists include age-appropriate biblical texts throughout students’ academic careers.
Elementary school students will read a picture-book adaptation of the story of David and Goliath alongside classics such as Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. Older students will study passages from Genesis describing Adam and Eve, selections from the Book of Psalms and other biblical texts in conjunction with works by authors including Robert Frost, Langston Hughes and historical writings from figures such as George Washington.
The curriculum also continues a broader emphasis on classic literature and foundational American documents, including Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
The board simultaneously approved revisions to the state’s social studies standards that place greater emphasis on Texas and U.S. history while reducing instruction on world cultures and expanding lessons on communism.
Conservatives celebrate curriculum overhaul
Republican members of the board described the changes as an opportunity to restore what they view as a more accurate presentation of American history and literature.
Board member Brandon Hall called the curriculum overhaul a “generational opportunity,” arguing that the Bible’s influence on Western civilization makes it essential reading for students.
“We’re going to stop watering down American history. We’re going to teach the truth,” Hall said during a news conference before the vote. “Our nation was founded as a Christian nation, and Texas is a Christian state.”
Supporters say the Bible is being taught as an important literary and historical text rather than as religious instruction.
Board member LJ Francis, who voted in favor of the proposal, said the goal is not to proselytize students but to expose them to influential works that have shaped Western culture.
“I think we’ll see the reading scores go up, and I think we’ll see children just learning and loving to read again,” Francis told CNN after the vote.
Critics raise constitutional concerns
The changes generated sharp opposition from educators, religious leaders, parents and some board members, many of whom argued the curriculum crosses the line between teaching about religion and promoting it.
Republican board member Evelyn Brooks broke with most members of her party, becoming the lone GOP vote against the mandatory reading lists.
“Teachers need to have their autonomy. They’ve been selecting books for decades, for years,” Brooks said during debate, adding that she believes the policy is unconstitutional.
Democratic board member Tiffany Clark, who represents parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, argued that religious education should remain the responsibility of families and faith communities.
“Not all of us believe the same,” Clark said, noting that different Christian denominations use different Bible translations while many Texas families practice other religions or no religion at all.
Clark also expressed concern that students who opt out of some religious content could face disadvantages on standardized tests if the required readings appear on state assessments.
Parents, educators divided
Public testimony before the board reflected deep divisions over the proposal.
Supporters argued that biblical references are essential for understanding American history, literature and the country’s founding principles. They pointed to references to God in the Declaration of Independence and historical language used in the United States Constitution.
Opponents countered that the curriculum gives preferential treatment to Christianity while placing teachers in the difficult position of instructing students on religious texts they may not be qualified or comfortable teaching.
Rabbi Joshua Fixler of Congregation Emanu El in Houston warned that the curriculum blurs the distinction between teaching about religion and teaching religion.
“This list is full of Christian texts that are inappropriate for public school classrooms,” Fixler said during public testimony.
Military parent Kimmie Fink questioned whether the changes would infringe on families’ constitutional rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing.
Part of broader education changes
The reading requirements build on a series of education policies adopted in Texas in recent years that have expanded the role of Christianity in public schools.
The state previously approved an optional Bible-infused elementary curriculum, allowed school districts to employ chaplains as counselors and enacted a law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. A federal court recently upheld the Ten Commandments requirement.
Texas law already requires schools to teach about religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament, and their influence on history and literature.
Education experts told The Associated Press that while many states recommend reading lists, Texas may be the first to mandate a comprehensive literary canon for every public school student.
The curriculum overhaul is expected to shape classroom instruction for millions of students and could influence education policy debates in other Republican-led states considering similar measures.
