Texas Board of Education Approves Bible Passages for Texas Schools

By WHITNEY SPARKS
Baptist Progress Writer

​On June 26, the Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list in a 9-5 vote. The reading list would include Bible passages along with other literary works. This newly adopted curriculum change will affect more than 5 million students within the 1,279 districts in Texas.
 
Although teachers may incorporate other books to support their curriculum, this is the first time Texas has mandated a reading list. Previously, required readings were left to the district and/or classroom teacher to decide.
               
Bible passages and stories will make up less than 10 percent of the 200 book titles on the required reading list. Grade levels will be assigned at least one passage from the Bible.
 
Some examples of the newly acquired books or passages related to the Bible include “David and Goliath (excerpt from The Children’s Book of Heroes)” by William J. Bennett, “Do Not be Anxious” (Matthew 6:25-34), “The Shepherd’s Psalm” (Psalm 23), “Adam and Eve” (Genesis 2, 3) and the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32).
 
Passages were chosen to coincide with literature already included within the grade level. For example, the love passage from 1 Corinthians 13 will be used in conjunction with the novel “Pride and Prejudice.”
 
Like most changes, the idea of including Bible passages in the required readings has been met with both positive and negative reactions.
 
Some people are concerned the new mandate interferes with the First Amendment which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof.” Others who support the inclusion of Bible passages argue that our nation was founded on Biblical principles which should be represented in public education.
 
The following statements from local Texans support the Bible but are followed with uneasiness of the implementation process and what the future holds for education in public schools.
 
D. Roberts, a parent and former teacher voiced her concern saying, “I really like the idea of including Bible passages as long as they do not exclude Jesus Christ and His truths.” Multiple people shared their uncertainty with how the teacher would present the Bible passage to his or her class. C. Booker, a former educator and parent wondered if “clear guidance and training” would be provided to the teachers before the Bible is shared in class.
 
Another parent stated that although she supports the Bible’s “profound influence on history, literature, art and Western civilization,” her concern is “not with the Bible itself but with the precedent this could establish,” N. Ritter. A former pastor, C. Gilbert, shared a similar concern when he said, “this may open the door for other religious material, like the Book of Mormon or Quran, to find its way into classrooms all throughout the state of Texas.”
 
These questions, and many more, will arise in the next four years. The required readings will have a staggered rollout beginning with elementary schools in the fall of 2030.

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