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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Marina Dunbar

Texas makes Bible passages required reading for millions of public school students

people hold signs that read 'rest in peace religious freedom'
Ruth Nasrullah, left, and Rocio Fierro-Perez, political director for the Texas Freedom Network, participate in an interfaith funeral-themed protest outside the Barbara Jordan building in Austin on 22 June 2026. Photograph: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman/AP

The Texas education board has approved a broad new statewide reading list that, for the first time, will make passages from the Bible required reading for more than 5 million public school students.

Under the new initiative, Bible stories will become mandatory reading for millions of public school students in addition to a more standard collection of books, renewing debate over growing efforts in the US to increase the role of religion in classrooms.

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