Texas approves required reading list that includes Bible passages

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas education board on Friday approved a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible passages.

The Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list over objections from critics who argued the titles lack diversity and raise concerns about church-state separation. Supporters say the Bible and Judeo-Christian traditions have had a significant influence on American history, literature, and culture, and should be reflected in public school curriculum.

The proposal mandates literary works such as Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” alongside passages from the New Testament. Education observers say it appears to be the first state-required reading list of its kind in the nation. 

The rollout will be staggered, starting with elementary school students in 2030.

Texas, which educates roughly 1 in 10 of the nation’s public school students, has taken several steps in recent years involving religion and public schools. The state allows public schools to hire chaplains to counsel students, requires the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and has approved an optional curriculum that includes Bible-related material.

Critics say the reading list lacks diversity, raises constitutional concerns, and leaves teachers and students with little room to decide what to read.

Elva Mendoza, legislative communications associate for the Texas Freedom Network, said, “This is sending the message to children that one and only one religious text — a Christian one — is worthy of making this required reading list.”

Supporters have praised the inclusion of biblical material, saying it reflects the religious and cultural influences that shaped American history and literature. Brooke Mazel, a retiree from Lubbock, encouraged the board to adopt the materials, saying her children and grandchildren grew up with “strong faith and family values.”

“America should celebrate our 250 years that started as a nation of unwavering Christian values,” Mazel said.

The board is also set to vote Friday on a social studies curriculum that links Bible stories with American history.

A state law passed in 2023 required a mandatory list of at least one literary work to be taught in each grade level. The proposed new list contains about 200 texts, including Bible passages, essays, and books, far more than that requirement.

Antero Garcia, president of the National Council of Teachers of English and a Stanford University professor, said he does not know of any other state with a mandatory reading list that includes religious texts. Educators at the district and school level usually choose the texts their students read, Garcia said.

Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, said the move is “unique” to Texas.

Picture-book stories for elementary students, including “David and Goliath” and “Daniel and the Lion’s Den,” are on the required reading list. By fourth grade, students would encounter passages about Jesus in the New Testament.

By middle school, students would be expected to read several passages about Jesus, including passages from the Sermon on the Mount and another passage in which Jesus tells listeners not to be anxious and to seek the kingdom of God.

For high schoolers, the list requires the reading of specific Bible passages as supporting materials for literary works, including works by Dickens and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

The list mandates that students reading Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” also read a eulogy for President Ronald Reagan written by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Frank Strong, an English and journalism teacher and co-founder of the student advocacy group Texas Freedom to Read, said diversity is important both for students who benefit from seeing themselves reflected in assigned texts and for students learning about different cultures.

Many of the books on the reading list are not controversial, but Mendoza questioned why books such as “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” need to be required for kindergartners.

“Can’t our kindergarten teachers be trusted to choose board books?” Mendoza said.