Texas Education Board Approves Required Reading List Including Bible Passages

The Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list for K-12 students that includes several Bible passages, as part of a broader initiative to incorporate Christian teachings into the curriculum. The list, approved on June 26, 2026, features works such as 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens and excerpts from the New Testament. The implementation will begin with elementary schools in 2030. Previously, Texas mandated the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a law that was challenged but upheld in federal court. Critics argue that this decision undermines the separation of church and state, while supporters claim that teaching the Bible is essential to understanding the nation’s founding principles. Board Chair Aaron Kinsey stated that the new standards aim to teach the truth about Texas and American ideals. On the same day, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick discussed the phrase 'separation of church and state' during a presentation in the Oval Office, asserting that it is not found in the Constitution.