The Texas State Board of Education approved a new statewide reading list that makes Bible passages mandatory for roughly five million public school students, set to begin with an elementary rollout in 2030 across Texas. The board also postponed decisions on several high school social studies courses, including U.S. History, World History and World Geography, until at least September. Last update: June 28, 2026.
The decision matters because it expands a 2026 state law that required officials to designate at least one literary work per grade, and it formalizes a uniform list for all districts. Supporters say the plan reflects the historical influence of Judeo-Christian traditions on American literature and civic life, while critics warn it elevates one faith tradition and narrows representation for a diverse student body.
Board approval and 2030 rollout
The board’s action establishes, for the first time, a set of works that students across Texas must read, while allowing teachers to assign additional books. The new list includes classics such as Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, as well as speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Margaret Thatcher. According to the plan, implementation begins in 2030, with reading and social studies changes phased in over several years to align with district schedules and training.
Specific religious texts named for coursework include passages from the Book of Jonah and the Book of Psalms for seventh grade, and excerpts from the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Genesis in high school. Earlier examples highlighted the inclusion of the stories of Adam and Eve and Moses at the burning bush underlining the scope of the religious content. Teachers retain the ability to add readings, but they must include the required selections for each grade.
Support and opposition statements
Backers framed the move as a cultural and literary foundation. Brandon Hall, a Republican member of the board, said, “We are bringing the Bible back into schools this week for the first time in 60 years.” Advocacy voices echoed that point, with Mary Castle saying, “Very happy about students having that access to scripture that helps them understand classical literature.” Some conservative activists endorsed the moral emphasis, with Bonnie Wallace stating, “Children are living lonely, desperate lives.” She added, “They have not been introduced to Jesus.” Wallace also said, “We have forgotten to focus on what is pure, what is noble, what is holy,” during testimony.
Civil liberties and education groups objected that the list centers one faith and lacks diversity in authorship. Felicia Martin, executive director of the Texas Freedom Network, said the reading list “centers Christianity above all other religious faiths and traditions.” Other critics argued that the selections lean heavily toward older works by white male authors, raising representation concerns in a system where a majority of students are Hispanic or Black. Nearly 500 residents traveled to Austin for a public comment session, underscoring the level of community scrutiny and division.
Legal and political backdrop in Texas
The decision follows a broader state trend to elevate religious references in public education. Last year, Texas required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom, a mandate that a federal appeals court upheld in April after a legal challenge. The statewide reading list formalizes religious content within English language arts expectations, a step supporters say reinforces students’ ability to decode religious allusions in American history and literature.
The move also arrives amid national political messaging that emphasizes religious themes. On Friday, President Donald Trump said, “Religion is back in our country, bigger and stronger than it has been in many, many years,” at a religious freedom event in Washington, D.C. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association called the required list cumbersome and warned that lengthy mandates could limit teacher autonomy in selecting works most appropriate for their classrooms and communities.
The board expanded the 2026 law by recommending multiple texts per grade instead of a single work, increasing the mandatory corpus while preserving room for supplemental choices. The inclusion of Bible passages will apply statewide once the phased rollout begins in 2030, allowing districts time to adjust curricula, procure materials and train staff. Officials indicated that the social studies course revisions would return for consideration later, with decisions on U.S. History, World History and World Geography pushed to at least September.
Opponents cautioned that elevating any single religious tradition risks alienating students of other faiths, and they urged balanced inclusion if religious texts are discussed for historical or literary literacy. Supporters countered that students should understand the Bible’s role in shaping Western literature and civic rhetoric. As the rollout approaches, the debate is expected to continue in local school boards and communities, where educators will interpret how the required readings integrate with existing lesson plans and district priorities.