The Texas State Board of Education has approved a new statewide reading directive that will require more than five million public school students to study a prescribed collection of literary works, including passages from the Bible, beginning with the 2030-2031 school year.
The policy, approved by a 9-5 vote that largely followed party lines, expands requirements established under House Bill 1605, a law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023. The legislation directed the board to develop a required vocabulary list and designate at least one approved literary work for every grade level in English and Spanish language arts and reading courses.
The newly adopted reading list includes a wide range of classic literature and historical texts. Among the required works are Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, Dante Alighieri's The Inferno, William Shakespeare's plays, George Orwell's Animal Farm, significant speeches from American history, and selected parables from the New Testament. Under the directive, assigned literary works must be read in their entirety.
Biblical content appears throughout multiple grade levels. Elementary students will study picture books depicting the story of David and Goliath, while older students will encounter selections from the Book of Job, the story of Adam and Eve, and other biblical passages as part of their English language arts curriculum.
The decision marks the latest effort by Texas leaders to incorporate Christian-related material into public education. It follows previous legislative efforts, including a law requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, which faced legal challenges but ultimately remained in effect.
The board delayed implementation of the reading list until the 2030-2031 school year rather than the originally proposed 2026-2027 timeline. Supporters said the additional time will allow school districts, educators, and publishers to prepare instructional materials and classroom resources before the requirements take effect.
The final list emerged after months of public debate and revisions. The original proposal released by the Texas Education Agency contained roughly 300 titles and received criticism from educators and advocacy organizations who argued it was overly lengthy and lacked sufficient diversity. Board members later reduced the number of required works by approximately one-third before approving the final version.
Several titles were removed during the amendment process, including Noah's Ark, St. George and the Dragon, Rapunzel, and Thunderstorm in the Church, a historical fiction book centered on Martin Luther. Board members debated whether some selections offered sufficient instructional value or presented historical figures in an appropriate context before voting on individual amendments.
Supporters argued the reading list restores academic rigor and emphasizes works that have shaped American culture, history, and Western civilization. Conservative organizations and several Republican lawmakers praised the inclusion of classical literature alongside biblical passages, describing the collection as an important foundation for students studying literature and history.
Opponents expressed concerns that the required readings place disproportionate emphasis on one religious tradition while excluding texts representing other faiths and cultural perspectives. Teachers and education groups also argued that the number of required readings could reduce classroom flexibility, increase instructional demands, and limit educators' ability to tailor lessons to the needs of their students and local communities.
The vote reflected those divisions within the board. All Republican members except one supported the proposal, while Democratic members voted against it. Republican board member Evelyn Brooks joined Democrats in opposing the measure, citing concerns about local control and the workload teachers would face under the expanded reading requirements. One Democratic board member was absent during the vote.
The debate also extended beyond the State Board of Education. Democratic lawmakers sent letters urging the board to reconsider the scope of the list and its inclusion of biblical passages, while dozens of Republican legislators encouraged board members to approve the strongest possible version without significant changes.
Although implementation remains several years away, the newly approved reading list is expected to shape English language arts instruction across Texas for years to come. As school districts prepare for the 2030 rollout, the policy is likely to remain a focal point in ongoing discussions over curriculum standards, religious content in public education, and the balance between statewide academic requirements and local classroom control.
