Texas Schools Consider Mandating Bible Reading for Students
WHO:
ABC News - More than 5 million public school students in Texas are involved in the proposal.
WHAT:
Alternet - The Texas State Board of Education is expected to approve the new state book list on Friday.
Alternet - The proposed reading list is described as “sweeping” by the New York Times and is expected to reflect the priorities of the state board, which has a 10-to-5 Republican majority.
Alternet - Critics argue that the mandate to include the Bible in the curriculum is part of a broader effort to infuse Christianity in Texas public schools.
Alternet - The Texas State Board of Education is expected to approve a new state book list that will require students to read at least one Bible excerpt each year starting in the 4th grade.
Alternet - The proposed reading list includes titles like "Charlotte’s Web" by E.B. White, "Night" by Elie Wiesel, and "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, but does not include commonly taught titles like "Romeo and Juliet," "The Great Gatsby," or "To Kill a Mockingbird."
ABC News - A new proposal would make Bible stories required reading in Texas public schools.
Drudge Report - Texas public school students may soon be required to read the Bible.
WHERE:
ABC News - The proposal pertains to public schools in Texas.
WHEN:
ABC News - The proposal is set to be discussed in the Texas legislature in 2027.
WHY:
Alternet - Texas education officials assert that the Bible is "an essential piece of literature and important for understanding America’s founding and culture."
ABC News - Proponents argue that including Bible stories in the curriculum would provide moral guidance and historical context.
HOW:
Alternet - The extensive reading list will require teachers to accommodate additional reading by cutting back from other curricula.
Alternet - The extensive reading list is being created in response to a Texas law enacted in 2023 that requires education officials to select at least one essential literary text for each grade level.
ABC News - The proposal would integrate Bible stories into the required reading lists for students.
(UPDATED June 26, 2026 06:20 UTC)
The Texas State Board of Education is set to approve a new state book list on Friday, which the New York Times has described as “sweeping.” This proposed reading list is expected to reflect the priorities of the board, which holds a 10-to-5 Republican majority, but critics argue that the inclusion of the Bible in the curriculum is part of a broader effort to infuse Christianity into Texas public schools. Teachers will need to adjust their lesson plans to accommodate the additional reading requirements, which means they may have to cut back on other curricula.
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(UPDATED June 25, 2026 23:23 UTC)
The Texas State Board of Education is set to approve a new reading list that mandates students read at least one Bible excerpt each year starting in the fourth grade. This proposed list features titles like "Charlotte’s Web," "Night," and "Hamlet," but notably excludes classics such as "Romeo and Juliet," "The Great Gatsby," and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Education officials in Texas argue that the Bible is crucial for understanding the nation's founding and culture, a move that aligns with a law enacted in 2023 requiring the selection of essential literary texts for each grade level.
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(UPDATED June 25, 2026 21:30 UTC)
A new proposal in Texas aims to make Bible stories required reading for public school students, impacting more than 5 million learners across the state. Proponents of the initiative argue that including these stories in the curriculum would offer moral guidance and historical context. The Texas legislature is set to discuss this proposal in 2027.